A historic building in the centre of Keith will be brought back to life next year after its owner was given a grant of £142,000.
Local joiner Barry Fettes bought the Greigs building in Reidhaven Square more than a year ago, and now hopes to turn the former department store and bakery into two shops and eight homes.
His vision has now taken a step closer to becoming a reality after he was awarded a grant from Elgin and Keith Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (Cars).
The group provide funding to assist with the external repair of historic buildings, and the Greigs site is one of their priority projects.
Ross McClearly, from the Keith group, said: “We are delighted work to help restore the Greigs building.
“It was a bakery, and then a department store. It closed down about 10 years ago, but most people will remember it in the local area for being a department store.
“This is one of our four priority projects identified in the area, so to get it off the ground is excellent.
“We are hoping it will help bring Mid Street back to life again.”
Mr Fettes said he hoped that restoring the building would bring new blood to Keith.
The 39-year-old said: “We are fitting two shops downstairs, four flats and four houses.
“Cars have been a great help. It’s quite a long process, and obviously, there’s still quite a bit of money to put in myself, but funding from Cars was one of the reasons for buying the building in the first place.
“It will help the centre of the town. There’s been quite a lot of good feedback in the town and people are happy it’s being done up. It will make a big difference to the top end of the town, which is quite dead really.
“We are hoping some units will be ready for occupation next year.”
Elgin and Keith Cars run a series of courses, talks and workshops on the correct materials and methods required to repair and maintain historic buildings.
Course information and availability can be found by contacting ross.mccleary@moray.gov.uk or calling 01343 563543.