Prince Charles could salvage a defunct Aberdeenshire high street shop left empty after a 150-year-old Scots enterprise dissolved last month.
McEwen’s of Perth announced it was going into administration on March 24, closing down its outlet on Ballater’s Bridge Street immediately.
It was a fresh blow for the Deeside village, with the shop one of few businesses on the main artery through the community to survive the devastating flooding which accompanied Storm Frank late last year.
But it has now emerged the Duke of Rothesay is believed to be in early discussions to house a “pop up” Highgrove tea shop at the site.
A number of other ideas to help Ballater are also thought to be under his consideration.
A spokesman for Clarence House said: “His Royal Highness has a close relationship with Ballater and is committed to exploring ways in which his charities can help the local community following the recent floods.”
The Highgrove brand produces goods for the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation.
The duke has close personal ties to Ballater, which neighbours the his family’s beloved Balmoral Castle and his own property at Birkhall.
Some 307 homes and 60 businesses were flooded in the Ballater area, with the deluge also having a knock-on effect even on the businesses which survived the floods.
However in recent weeks HM Sheridan butchers and Brakeley Gift Room have started trading once again.
Ballater Golf Club is also open once again and Deeside Books is on track to do so this summer, and is already trading online.
The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay officially reopened Sheridan’s last month after it was devastated by the floods.
Last night co-owner of the butchers, John Sinclair, said: “If he goes ahead with it I think it is fantastic for the village. I think it would be superb. It would be a good tourist attraction.
“Who else would take it on? That is the thing. There is nothing worse than shops being empty in the village. It is really good news.”
Local councillor Geva Blackett added: “I welcome anything that brings tourism to the village and such a high quality product I am sure would be welcome – and maybe that will attract other high quality businesses.
“Ballater will be back bigger and stronger, but we always knew it would be.”
Earlier in the year the duke made a donation through the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation to support local projects in Ballater, including the caravan site.
