Council bosses hope to appoint a new contractor for a £1million north-east regeneration project in a matter of weeks.
Work to transform the council chambers and a former police station in Fraserburgh ground to a halt last November when builders AD Walker went into administration.
The local authority boarded up the building so a new firm could be found to take on the restoration scheme.
Work on the development began in May 2017 when two giant portraits of Sir Alexander Fraser and the 16th Lord Saltoun were hoisted out of the first floor window.
Once complete the building will be known as the Faithlie Centre and will be a new face for Aberdeenshire Council and a facility for budding entrepreneurs.
In December, members of the Banff and Buchan area committee approved the removal of ornate Lincrusta dado style wall coverings from the lower half of three internal walls to make sure there would be no extra delays in securing a new contractor.
Now it is hoped a firm will be appointed to carry out and complete the works at the Saltoun Chambers and can be named in the “next few weeks.”
Last night, a council spokesman said they were making positive progress.
He said: “We are progressing positively through the necessary tender and governance approval processes.
“We hope to be in a position to appoint a new contractor in the next few weeks.”
Brian Topping, a town councillor and chairman of the Fraserburgh regeneration development partnership, said he was “delighted” work at the B-listed structure would begin soon.
He said: “The contractor will be announced in the coming days.
“I’m delighted this is happening as this is one of the key buildings in the town centre.
“My understanding is that once the contract has been signed the builders will move in quite quickly.”
The Faithlie Centre revamp is part of the Fraserburgh 2021 scheme, which is a £5million project aimed at revitalising the town centre.
Other projects include converting the former John Trail bookshop into a hotel and the restoration of the Penny Schoolie.
