Part of the roof of a Moray town centre building is poised to be demolished in an attempt to make it safe.
Scaffolding completely shrouds the Poundland building in Elgin as attempts are made to preserve the historic sandstone structure.
Now proposals have been accepted by the retailer to dismantle part of the western gable of the former 19th Century bank before restoring it.
Last night progress on making the grade B-listed High Street building was welcomed.
However, warnings have already been made that the repairs are likely to continue into 2020.
A report prepared by Moray Council planning officer Craig Wilson has revealed that the roof and internal walls have been “compromised” by water.
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He added: “In conservation terms the proposed works will ensure that the known defective areas of the building are made safe, carefully dismantled and material salvaged, where possible, for future reuse.
“The works will also enable further investigation of the remaining structure ultimately leading to a full repair strategy and feasibility report on the future of the building.”
Poundland has already stressed it was committed to its Elgin store throughout the works, the building is most popularly remembered as Woolworths.
The former Royal Bank of Scotland was closed in May after the council issued a dangerous building notice amid fears it could collapse.
North Street has been shut ever since due to the safety concerns with the closure expected to last into next year.
A side entrance has been created into the shop in order to allow customers into the business while it continues to trade.
Yesterday Elgin City South councillor John Divers, a director of the town’s business improvement district, welcomed the development on the repairs.
He said: “Things are continuing to move forward with it although it will still be quite some time before it is back to the way it was before.
“They are getting on with the work though to minimise the disruption to the High Street and that is good to see.”