Evening Telegraph (First Edition)

£2.5m Customs House works are under way

MONTROSE Port Authority has started work on its multi-million-pound restoratio­n project of the town’s historic Customs House building.

The B-listed Customs House and its granary store in Meridian Street was acquired last year for a six-figure sum.

Built in the 1850s, it has been on Scotland’s buildings at risk register for more than 20 years.

The trust port says it wants to preserve it as an important piece of local maritime heritage with the self-funded work.

In a first phase, costing £2.5 million, the four-storey Customs House will be transforme­d into office space and a training facility.

A second phase of work, to develop the granary store, and add a cafe, will follow.

Montrose Port Authority chief executive Captain Tom Hutchison said more office space was essential for the town.

He said upcoming wind farm work could lead to an “influx” of companies looking to locate to Angus.

He said: “With Montrose being home to Seagreen offshore wind farm’s operations and maintenanc­e base and the constructi­on of Inch Cape wind farm’s O&M base set to begin next year, we anticipate an influx of supporting businesses from the energy supply chain to the area.

“Customs House will offer new office spaces designed to attract these companies, creating jobs and generating a positive ripple effect throughout the region.

“We also plan to establish a training centre within the space to help the next generation develop their skills and assist workers transition­ing from traditiona­l energy roles into renewables.”

Montrose firms Pert Bruce Constructi­on and Adam & Gordon Architects, who worked on the Sunnyside Hospital housing developmen­t, won the contracts for the building’s regenerati­on.

Progress has already been made, with Pert Bruce Constructi­on ensuring the building is safe and has a new main entrance.