A former nightclub in the heart of Moray’s biggest town is poised for a new lease of life after nearly 20 years of slipping into disrepair.
The owner of the Jailhouse venue in Elgin has lodged plans with Moray Council to replace the dilapidated “eyesore” with flats.
The once-popular nightspot was destroyed by a fire in 1998 and has fallen into an increasingly poor state over the following years.
But its proprietor, William McBey, believes the time is right to revitalise the site and he aims to begin work on creating eight one-bedroom and six two-bedroom flats within months.
He is considering naming the development “Jailhouse Executive Apartments”.
Yesterday, the Banff-based property developer revealed that he has already stated clearing out debris from the club’s charred interior.
Mr McBey said: “I have owned the building for a long time and I’ve just decided that it has lain there as it is for long enough.
“It is being cleaned up just now, as there is a lot of pigeon muck in there and the roof has collapsed.
“I would like to see work start on it by the end of September.”
The Jailhouse was open for only 18 months in the late 1990s before a blaze engulfed the building.
It was designed to resemble an American prison, with cells, iron bars and even an electric chair which was used to perform mock executions on a dummy prisoner.
Dusty remnants from its heyday remain inside, and Mr McBey plans to retain them as a nod to its lively past.
He said: “We want to get the old electric chair restored and keep it as part of the building, as well as the cage people used to dance in.”
Last summer, the Jailhouse was put up for auction in Edinburgh.
Mr McBey said he received offers for the building, but ultimately decided to oversee its relaunch himself after selling a 50% share in it to a partner.
Elgin City South councillor, John Divers, hailed the proposal as a sign the centre of the town is showing a resurgence.
Councillor Divers said: “This is the town centre coming to life again, which is what we want to see.
“The Jailhouse is a building locals have wanted to see developed for some time.”
