Job hopes over bid to 'breathe new life' into disused Wick building
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Plans have been drawn up to bring a prominent Wick building back into use after many years in a move that could create "much-needed employment" for the town.
The proposed revamp of the property in Macarthur Place – at the corner of Smith Terrace and Harbour Terrace – would initially involve a new fast-food outlet. However, the longer-term aim is to "breathe new life into the building" by having a number of businesses operating within it.
A planning application for change of use has been lodged with Highland Council.
Planning documents give the applicant's name as Mr R MacKay. An attempt to contact Mr MacKay yesterday through his agent in the Glasgow area proved unsuccessful.
The building was last occupied by a video shop but has lain disused for years. One near neighbour yesterday spoke of pigeons and rats inside it.
A design statement submitted as part of the planning application points out that the property dates back to the early 1930s and that it was originally a Co-operative building. Its features include a clock tower.
"Although in a state of disrepair, the building has many architectural merits and is structurally sound," the statement says.
"The proposal will breathe new life into the building with a number of new businesses operating within it.
"Firstly the entire building will be assessed with the purpose of getting it wind and watertight. The roof will be overhauled along with the dormer windows. All gutters and downpipes will be checked and repaired as necessary.
"The clock tower will be repaired and a new clock fitted. Full drawings will be prepared to outline the potential use of each floor within the building which will result in additional applications to planning and building standards.
"The location of the building will make it suitable for a number of uses that will provide much-needed services to the area and also a number of new employment opportunities."
The statement indicates that further proposals for the building will be brought forward in subsequent applications.
It adds: "The additional businesses will bring much-needed employment to the town and the potential number of job opportunities will grow with the ongoing development of the building.
"Too many fine buildings throughout towns like Wick have been lost by falling into a state of disrepair and being demolished to make way for buildings with no character or history."
It describes the application as the "starting point" in enabling the building to be repurposed.
A near neighbour said yesterday: "We've had incidences where rats have been reported coming from that building, and we've had rat-catchers round who identified there were rats there.
"I would say between 40 and 60 pigeons fly overhead from that building. I don't know where they go during the day, but they are coming from there.
"I would like it cleaned out – get rid of the vermin first."
