Traffic restrictions were lifted on one of Inverness’ busiest streets yesterday, nearly six months after a serious fire there.
Academy Street has been reduced to one lane since mid April, when fire ripped through M&Co’s building.
The building – one of the oldest in Inverness – was issued with a dangerous building notice by Highland Council and scaffolding erected to make it safe.
Yesterday the metalwork was moved back towards the facade, allowing two-way traffic to flow again from 9.30am.
A walkway has also been created which will enable pedestrians to walk uninterrupted along the restricted side of the street.
Strothers Lane will remain closed to vehicular traffic, but pedestrians will continue to be able to access the wide range of shops and businesses located along its length.
A spokeswoman for M&Co said: “M&Co are pleased to announce that we will be re-opening a new store in a temporary location at Unit 56 Eastgate shopping centre in Inverness later this month.
“Full details about the new store and opening will be announced shortly and we thank the shoppers and Inverness city for their patience and support.”
Inverness Business Improvement District leader Mike Smith said: “Overall we are delighted this has been achieved and it has been part of working with the Highland Council and M&Co to do it. It might seem like it has been a long period to the public but in reality it has been a short one when considering all the work that has been done on the building.
“We are looking forward to M&Co making their planning application to rebuild there and it is their intention to reopen on site some time next summer or autumn.
“It is a main thoroughfare in the city and it is a very important statement that we are open for business and we would encourage people to come and use the facilities.”
But Kit Fraser, owner of the Hootananny pub in Church Street, was less receptive and said it was “long overdue”, adding: “I am amazed it is reopening before Christmas, but many independent traders in the town have been badly hit by people not visiting the town centre to avoid these queues, so a lot of tradesman have lost a lot of money over the summer.”