Businesses and residents of a Moray town have been told to step up their commitment to saving a landmark building – or face plans for its future being abandoned.
Proposals have been drawn up to breath new life into the Institute on Mid Street, Keith, after a community consultation event showed overwhelming support to see the building developed.
Five options are now on the table to bring the former Moray Council premises back into use.
But Valery Dickson, chairwoman of Keith and Strathisla Regeneration Partnership (KSRP) said that the future of the building remained at risk unless its supporters showed genuine commitment to take the ideas forward.
She said: “We know that people feel strongly about seeing new uses for the Institute, and while we have had a lot of good ideas, no one has come forward and said they would like to get involved.
“For this project to go ahead, it needs people who have a community or business interest to get behind it and take it forward. Although we commissioned the report, this is not something that
KSRP will be leading on, although we would be happy to provide appropriate support.
“Without people willing to get behind this, we cannot proceed with this. If people do not come to our meeting we will draw the conclusion that there is not the interest to keep the place going.
“We sincerely hope that is not the case and that we can find a fitting new use for this iconic building which is part of the heritage of the town.”
A feasibility study carried out by LDN Architects concluded that the community supported the Institute having a variety of uses in the future
Shops, a café, library, visitor centre, museum and function hall were among the suggestions for the building which has lain empty since Moray Council relocated its staff and operations to the Keith Resource Centre.
The feasibility study will be the focus of a meeting taking place at the Ugie House Hotel in Keith on Monday, March 30 at 7.30pm.
Ms Dickson urged all those with an interest in the building to attend.
Peter McIlhenny, of LDN Architects, will be present to answer any questions on the report, and a representative of Moray Council’s property section will be in attendance.