An abandoned Elgin landmark could reopen as the centre of operations for an eco-friendly charity.
The 19th-century Grant Lodge has been lying empty at Cooper Park for a decade after being damaged in a fire.
For years, campaigners have fought to bring the grand building back into use and are working on a business case aimed at securing the £3million required to repair it.
Their crusade has now been boosted after a children’s charity approached them about taking on space at the venue should it be refurbished.
The Friends of Grant Lodge group said it was “encouraged” by the show of interest from Earthtime for All.
The charity runs outdoor nursery sessions for children from a small hut on the west side of Elgin Library, but is keen to expand its activities.
Earthtime for All was awarded £70,000 in March to help people to find creative new uses for their unwanted household objects.
The environmental organisation believes Grant Lodge could be ideal for carrying out those aims.
Their members insist their ideas will cut down on household waste and prevent items being dumped in landfill sites unnecessarily.
They want to roll out a “repair and share” scheme which will teach residents the basics of sewing and woodwork, meaning they won’t have to throw away torn clothes or damaged furniture.
Project manager, Deborah Hockney, said: “If it could be opened up, we would like to work from Grant Lodge and grow our group.
“It could be used for children’s activities, but also for our recycling scheme.
“Rooms there could be used for repairs and to teach people new skills.”
Friends of Grant Lodge chairwoman, Caroline Webster, added: “A massive issue for us is showing that groups are interested in using the building if it gets revamped.
“This sort of thing really helps us to put a business case together.”
Historic images from the town have recently been appen to the building’s boarded-up windows, which Mrs Webster says have succeeded in bringing Grant Lodge more attention.
The building is held in trust by Moray Council after it was donated as a gift to the people of Elgin in 1903 by Sir George Cooper.
