An eyesore of a building on a prime site in Brechin could be about to undergo a transformation after a bid from a mysterious prospective purchaser.
The A-listed former St Columba’s Church on the corner of Panmure Street and Southesk Street has been unoccupied for several years and is sprouting vegetation, adding to the impression of neglect and deterioration of the building.
Angus provost and Brechin resident Ruth Leslie Melville says the building is on a prime site and ideal for redevelopment.
She said, “It has fantastic potential. Businesses would thrive there. What it needs is someone with the inspiration to come in and see the potential.”
The former church is one of three prime properties in Brechin, that were all built in the 19th century and have been vacant for years, now under offer and expected to be sold within weeks.
Selling agents Ryden confirmed they have received offers for the former St Columba’s Church, the former Maison Dieu Church on Witchden Road and the former Andover School in Nursery Lane.Straight offerThe potential purchaser of all three buildings, who is not being identified at this stage, has made a straight offer without making it conditional on planning.
Andy Boal, the associate in charge of Ryden’s Dundee office and the man responsible for the sale of the Brechin properties, declined to discuss the amount on offer for the buildings.
Adverts for the churches and school gave no hint of the asking price. Mr Boal said, “We simply invited offers. There has been no quoting of prices.”
The bidder has given no indication regarding future plans for the properties. Mr Boal said that Rydens were instructed to sell the properties by the liquidators of Heather Capital.
He said, “Heather Capital were a lending company, a bank effectively. They funded the owners of the property who were a company called Brechin Developments Ltd.”
He said he did not know who was involved in that company. “We have only been involved for three months or so.”
Rydens were instructed to sell the properties in May by the liquidators Ernst and Young.
Mr Boal said, “All three properties have been vacant for a number of years. As far as I know, St Columba’s Church and Maison Dieu Church were previously on the market through another agent.”VacantSt Columba’s has lain vacant for seven years, since Angus Classic Interiors moved out. The curtain making, upholstery and soft furnishing business had occupied the site for eight years before moving to its present location in Bank Street.
Maisondieu and Andover have not found alternative occupiers since being closed down as a church and school.
The former Andover Primary School site comprises a substantial former school single-storey building with attached former headmaster’s house that is over two storeys, all in sandstone under slate construction, together with the playground and garden areas surrounding the buildings, and in addition areas of open ground to the south of the school site and to the north-west of the school site.
The property is on the west side of Nursery Lane, approximately 100 yards south of Montrose Road in a predominantly-residential area.
Andover School was built in 1959 and closed in 1998 when a new school was opened. Maison Dieu is a B-listed building that is on the Buildings At Risk Register for Scotland. It has lain vacant since the 1980s.
The sale of the three buildings is currently with the solicitors for both parties. Mr Boal said he expected completion within weeks.
Mrs Leslie Melville said, “All I want is there to be progress because these are three very special buildings which hold a very special place in the heart of the people of Brechin.”