Hopes beloved Deeside bookshop, devastated by floods, can reopen by February

One Ballater businessman hit by the floods says he has maintained a “positive” outlook as he looks to reopen a beloved north-east bookshop by February.

Deeside Books was one of a number of Bridge Street outlets devastated when the River Dee burst its banks on December 30.

Owners Bryn and Marilyn Wayte lost more than 8,000 books during the disaster.

The ground floor of their house, which neighbours the shop, was also hit and they are yet to move back into their home.

However, the last of the refurbishment work on Deeside Books is due to get under way soon.

Mr Wayte also hopes to be back in his own home in a matter of weeks.

Last night he said: “We won’t be open this year, but work is progressing in refurbishing, we hope in early in the new year.

“There is a lot of shop fitting to do to so sort everything out. I can’t put a date on it yet.

“We are hoping to move in (to the house) at the end of next week or next week some time.

“We are all trying to be positive, we have get to have a positive outlook to the future. We took the opportunity to renovate the whole building and refurbish it. We are trying to use it as positive thing. The majority of the work is done.”