The old police station in Fort William has been placed on the market with an asking price of £275,000.
And local people are hoping development of the site will increase footfall in the Lochaber town’s beleaguered High Street, which has a large number of empty shops.
The police service moved into new premises at Blar Mhor on January 8 this year and the old building at the west end of town is now being advertised by the Inverness office of Graham & Sibbald as a development opportunity.
Fort William Community Council chairman, Neil Clark, said he was pleased to see the substantial, three-storey building, which is in a prime location, being offered for sale.
He said: “I’m pleased it’s on the market and hope something will go in there, rather than it being left empty.
“I really don’t mind whether it’s a hotel, residential units, shops or offices.
“My view is that anything that brings more footfall into that end of the town in going to be a good thing.”
Mr Clark also pointed out that Highland Council planned to redevelop the old school at the west end of the town to house its offices in the next few years.
He said: “The community council supports the council moving its offices up there and, once that happens, it could be good to have some shops in that area.”
Graham & Sibbald describes the 12,865sqft building as being suitable for redevelopment as a hotel or up to 10 residential units.
The commercial property agent also points out that it is earmarked for mixed use development in the current west Highland and islands local plan and that Highland Council would encourage retail, office or leisure development, with housing on the upper floors.
The building currently has a reception area, offices and cells on the ground floor, offices on the first floor and a hostel for police officers on the second floor. It also has a large car park on the High Street.
The old police station was retained as a fallback by Police Scotland until the end of February, but it is now considered to be surplus to requirements.