An 18th century shop could be repaired and brought back into use as part of the ongoing regeneration of a north-east town.
Aberdeenshire Council wants to bring a former Banff drapery back into commercial use and believe repairing the exterior will entice businesses to the area.
The at-risk property, which operated as Ivy Blanchard’s, is on the port’s Bridge Street – a major thoroughfare near the town centre.
In a supporting statement on the project, a spokesman said the entire shop front would be refurbished with a view to return it to use.
Efforts will also be made to ensure the building remains historically accurate.
“The intention is to reinstate the property for future use as a viable commercial property,” he added.
“The external works to be carried out are for repair or replace if necessary, but ensuring any replacement is using a traditional product which is like-for-like to the existing.”
Kincraig firm Gray, Marshall and Associates has written a report on the building’s background, detailing the work which the authority has aimed to carry out.
The architecture firm has said internal repairs, however, would not be “appropriate” at this stage.
“The building has historic and architectural significance,” a spokesman for the firm said.
“Its last use was as a drapery shop and the interior contains some historic shop fittings. The building also has street-scape significance and its distinctive shopfront and sign add character to this part of the street.”
Work will include replacing missing drainpipes, re-pointing the exterior of the building – including replacing its cornices and pilasters – and re-glazing the shop windows.
Joinery repairs to its existing frames and stripping paint from the building’s frontage may also be necessary.
Work to the property has been progressed through the local authority’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme for Banff which was launched in 2014.
Scottish Ministers awarded the scheme £500,000 to help enhance and preserve the quality of the town’s built heritage.
An application for the work has been submitted through the local authority’s planning service.
