A north-east high street is back in business as the newest branch of a budget hotel chain nears completion.
Peterhead’s Chapel Street had been in economic decline for years before Travelodge announced plans to take over a derelict building to open a 63-bedroom hotel.
This summer, eyesore scaffolding which had previously kept the empty structure standing was removed and now businesses have begun to move back into the vacant stores below.
A spokesman for Travelodge said: “We are very excited to be opening the first branded value hotel in Peterhead town centre in early 2017.
“Peterhead Travelodge is a new-build hotel with 63-rooms over four floors.”
The hotel also has a bar cafe, where guests – and locals – will be able to enjoy a meal.
The first shop to officially open as part of the Chapel Street redevelopment is boutique clothing store Bowbell.
Shop boss Lynn Marr said. “I thought that the town needed something like this so the opportunity came up and I decided to go for it.
“I had been looking for the right location for a while and then this came up so I went for it and got it ready to open as soon as I could.”
There are four shop units on the east side of the street below the Travelodge.
It is also understood that a franchise convenience shop will open in the unit adjacent to the Apex Church. The former Micromovies shop will now form part of the Travelodge hotel.
The news that the Chapel Street development is nearing completion comes as the wider regeneration initiative Choose
Peterhead is investigating other easy ways to improve the look and atmosphere of the area.
These include revamped the nearby Drummers Corner area and plans to open a theatre in the town.
