A historic building that has fallen on hard times could play a key role in the restoration of a north-east trade.
The property at 49-53 Bridge Street in Banff has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2010.
The two storey B-listed property features a shop front dating from 1835, original windows and a side entrance.
Restoration charity the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) hopes to buy it and convert it into a living space for trainee silversmiths based at the town’s Meal House, which is undergoing its own £1million revamp.
The Bridge Street project would mean repairs for the original roof timbers, the removal of asbestos sheeting from the roof and changes to the chimneys.
But it could cost as much as £450,000 and NESPT is applying for grants from the Architectural Heritage Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Aberdeenshire LEADER and Aberdeenshire Council Regeneration Fund to cover the restoration bills.
Paul Highson, project manager with the North East Scotland Preservation Trust, said: “We’re a charitable trust that exists to restore buildings of historical significance in Aberdeenshire and this one in Banff Conservation Area meets the criteria.
“It costs quite a lot of money to restore buildings like that and we will rely on grants from other bodies and the project will only go ahead if we can secure the money.
“We are applying for funding from a variety of sources.”
Mr Higson believes that if they can conserve the building it could be used by trainee silversmiths who are learning their trade just down the street. The once popular trade flourished in Banff between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Mr Higson said: “Further along Bridge Street there is a building which is being converted into a training base for silversmiths.
“That is likely to attract trainees from across Scotland so the intention is that we convert it into accommodation for them.
“We would have to put the work out to tender and we don’t have final costs at the moment.
“It is dependent on external funding and most organisations that provide funding to charities like ourselves are oversubscribed.
“I think it is a good project, but we will have to wait and see.”
A design team has been appointed to help with the Bridge Street scheme and they will apply for planning permission and listed building consent in January.
