The future of a north-east town’s Fishermen’s Mission was secured last night after planning permission was granted for its conversion.
Peterhead’s Mission had been under threat of closure after the charity unveiled plans to move out of its office in Union Street earlier this year, putting the property on the market.
It prompted locals to rally around the service and raise the money needed to buy the building for themselves.
Those plans collapsed, however, when it was snapped up by new owner Andrew Smith.
Mr Smith later submitted an application to the local authority with a view of converting a disused garage on the property’s ground floor to an office, which the Fishermen’s Mission will now run out of.
He will also to create three more bunks within the building for visitors, but the Mission will not operate these as it has done previously.
Instead, there are hopes that a local group can be formed to offer some of the former services of the building – including the canteen.
Stephen Bruce, who founded the Save the Fishermen’s Mission campaign group, which intended to hand the property back to the charity when it was bought, said talks with the new owner had been “positive” so far.
“We’re happy enough with it,” he added of the plans.
The new-look Fishermen’s Mission will operate almost identically to one in Mallaig, where the charity has also off-loaded its property.
KL Reid Associates, agents for Mr Smith, said: “The remainder of the building will be available for lease by local people who will have the opportunity of starting their own business by taking over some of the existing services currently being provided by the Fishermen’s Mission.”
Commodore David Dickens, chief executive of the Fishermen’s Mission, has hailed the development as “good news” for Peterhead.
