A crumbling building which prompted a near month-long closure of an Elgin street has reopened to the public.
The area around Poundland on the High Street was sealed off on May 10 over fears that stonework from its roof could plummet on to the pavement below.
Concerns about the safety of chimneys atop the 19th-Century former bank building were first raised last year.
Further investigations revealed that loose stonework had been allowing rainwater to pour inside, potentially putting the safety of the entire property in jeopardy.
It is understood that access to the top floor and attic of the B-listed property had been blocked off for a number of years.
Following a series of emergency repairs, Poundland is now able to welcome customers once again while the final remedial works are carried out.
The shop opened its doors again yesterday morning, with eager shoppers keen to once again enter its aisles.
However the initial closure of the branch last month prompted concern from Elgin’s Business Improvement District that it could deter shoppers from visiting the town centre.
Chief executive Gill Neill said: “We are delighted that Poundland was able to reopen.
“The company has done a huge amount of work to reorganise the shop as quickly as possible.
“This has helped them to secure not only their trading place on the High Street but also the staff’s jobs.”
She added: “Everything they have put in place will let them trade while the repair work that needs to completed is done in the background.”
The building at 161-163 High Street originally opened as the A and W Reid bank in 1856.
However it is more commonly remembered as a former branch of Woolworths. The store shut down when the national brand closed its doors in 2009.
While Poundland has now reopened, the emergency road closures imposed by Moray Council are still in place.
Diversions for car users are in place on Batchen Street, South Street and Greyfriars Road.
HGV users should travel via Plainstones and Lossie Wynd.