Construction is poised to begin on a new £3.5million furniture showroom on the outskirts of a Moray town.
Demolition crews have now brought down a former dairy and derelict cottage from the site of the Grampian Furnishers development on the east side of Elgin.
Yesterday the turf was cut to mark the start of the next phase of the project which will climax in the store being built.
Managing director Royce Clark was joined by convener of Moray Council, James Allan, councillors John Cowe and Marc Macrae and Moray MP Douglas Ross for the event.
Representatives from contractors Compass Building and Construction looked on as they were eager to begin work on the showroom.
Mr Clark said: “It’s full steam ahead now. The roads and the drainage are nearing completion so the builders have really been chomping at the bit to get on the site.
“It should really start to take shape over the next couple of weeks. People driving past should start to see the steel frame start to go up first.
“Now we’ve got the pads down then it should all start to happen fairly quickly.”
Mr Clark explained the project remained on course to open its doors to customers in the Autumn.
The firm is relocating from its base in Lossiemouth to land next to the KFC store on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road.
It is estimated that the move will lead to about 50 extra jobs being created at the retail outlet, which will also include a cafe.