Kingussie's former police station wanted by charity
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A "win-win" option has been suggested for Kingussie, with a charity making a move to acquire the disused former police station to revitalise the High Street and develop its own income and services.
Caberfeidh Horizons, the award-winning social enterprise which already has a base on the east side of the street, is now asking for community support to go ahead with a move to expand onto the west side.
"With finance from the Scottish Land Fund, we can purchase the former police station and turn the first floor into a specialist holiday accommodation flat," said chairwoman of the board Patsy Rimell on Friday, addressing a series of presentations at the charity's "first class second hand bookshop".
"The downstairs area will convert to a large shop for us to sell a much greater variety of recycled goods including larger items.
"This will complement our existing charity shop which is short of space because it is so busy."
Mrs Rimell explained that consultants had ruled out an earlier option of buying the rented premises next door to the bookshop.
"The valuation was considerably less than the asking price so we couldn't go ahead with the purchase. The owner has now taken the property off the market. He is happy for us to continue to lease it, which we will do. We enjoy a good working relationship."
She explained: "The consultant's options appraisal of all vacant premises in the vicinity identified the former police station as the best opportunity for us in terms of size, value for money, condition of building and potential.
"It will also bring redundant premises alive in the centre of the community. It is another way of developing our services and putting more life in our High Street."
Initial reaction on Friday was very positive from those who attended Mrs Rimell's three presentations throughout the afternoon.
But she stressed: "We will only be able to go ahead with this if we can present firm community backing, and that will be down to as many people as possible filling in the questionnaire we have drawn up.
"Owning the premises would give us long term security and sustainability, and we have already received an offer of £30,000 towards alterations and refurbishments of the property from the RS MacDonald Foundation.
"Approaches have been made to two more funders who have responded positively to our plans."
Pre-application planning advice from the Highland Council had also proved positive, Mrs Rimell said, but there is an August 3 deadline for the funding application and public backing is now a matter of some urgency.
* The forms to express support are available at Caberfeidh Horizons during opening hours.
