A historic Aberdeenshire building has moved a step closer to becoming the true heart of its community.
Proposals to make the most of Kintore Town House, in the Square, are making progress after councillors endorsed the latest steps taken towards its proposed redevelopment.
Plans include turning the upper floor of the building into a community space which could be used to screen films, or house business conferences, shows and possibly even weddings.
Meanwhile locals hope a “unique” business could open up on space on the ground floor.
Last week, the Garioch area committee backed the work being done by a group of stakeholders in Kintore to make the project a reality.
It is hoped the community can take control of the townhouse with a lease through a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), which would lead any redevelopment.
Local group, Action Kintore, has agreed in principle to taking on the project.
Committee chairman and East Garioch councillor, Fergus Hood, said: “There is certainly a willingness within the community and a willingness within the area committee to support bringing the town house back into use, because it is a really nice local building and it is not well used at the moment.
“We’d like to see the building being at the heart of the Kintore community again.
“The main thrust is to try and get back into some kind of community use, and to try and get some sort of upstairs area to facilitate maybe weddings, films, shows and things like that.
“Downstairs it is hoped we could have a space to attract a local business, maybe a craft bakery or chocolatier, something kind of unique.”
All funding for the project would have to be secured by the community.
Vice-chairman of the committee and fellow councillor for the area, Martin Ford, said: “There is now a clear proposal for new uses for the town house.
“Putting the plan for the town house into effect is going to depend on it getting support from the wider community in Kintore.
“I’m personally very keen to see the town house return to being a building used by residents. It’s a really great building and, at the heart of the town, it should be well used and busy.”