A historic Aberdeenshire building, long derelict and battered by the elements, could undergo a stunning restoration.
James Sheriff’s Bridge of Alford stores were at one time a thriving rural general shop and emporium where everything from “sugar and soap to scythes and cattle cake” was sold.
It was also the twice-yearly destination for people from miles around as they “settled their accounts at May and Martinmass”.
The business was built-up and run by the Sheriff family for several generations, all the way through to the 1960s.
Their complex of properties included the neighbouring villa, Donbank, which was the family’s principal living quarters.
The store faced the river, with the post office to the rear and accommodation for the postmen and shop girls above.
The front parlour, to the right of Donbank, had at one time an internal connecting door through to the store and was used as a ladies’ fitting room for the resident dressmaker during shop hours.
Now, property owner Morrison Campbell Estates Ltd is seeking to carry out work to the listed building, with the hope it can be brought back to use.
The future use of the former emporium is “yet to be determined”.
An application for planning and listed building consent asks for permission to remove invasive vegetation, repair granite wall-heads and re-instate drainage and slate roofs.
The future of the derelict building ties in with wider plans for the Bridge of Alford area.
The Forbes Arms Hotel, which sits opposite the store, shut down at the start of 2018.
Dating back to the first half of the 19th century, the hotel and pub once proved a popular destination for residents, as well as passing motorists on the A944 Aberdeen to Alford road, who stopped-in for a bite to eat on the way to Strathdon and beyond.
The team want to redevelop the ground floor dining area by removing the south-facing conservatory and entrance and replacing it with a new reception and a larger, open-plan restaurant, finished with granite.
Morrison Campbell Estates Ltd want to modernise that C-listed property and have submitted a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council to redevelop the entire site.