A unique property on Haddington's High Street will soon be available for let after a year-long transformation is completed.

The property, at 92/93 High Street, most recently Jacksons Jewellers, occupies a prominent space in the town's main retail thoroughfare.

The B-listed building has been owned by the United Incorporation of Masons and Wrights of Haddington since the 1700s and is managed by the council on their behalf. Since the late 1800s it was rented to a series of shopkeepers, particularly chemists.

The last occupant, Mr Jackson, retired in 2004 after nearly 25 years in the premises.

A full refurbishment was carried out including stone, render and roof repairs, and a full internal upgrade of the historic shop interior.

The residential accommodation on the upper floors has been converted into two flats with original features retained such as shutters, cornices and sash windows.

Appropriate historic building techniques and materials were used in order to enhance and preserve the building for future generations with Historic Scotland closely involved throughout.

-- Advertisement --

Cllr Sheena Richardson, a Trustee of the United Incorporation of Masons and Wrights of Haddington, said: "As a community, the town is delighted to see this prominent building so handsomely restored. In its position it is a significant feature of the High Street and I hope that the Wrights and Masons' Trust will lead the way for other town centre improvements.

"The internal features of this building have also been carefully re-instated with appropriate details like window shutters in the flats and the treasured fittings of the 19th century Chemists shop.

"There will be other residents of Haddington who, like myself, will remember going into the shop as children when two ladies in white coats dispensed the remedies of the time."

Athelstaneford-based firm John A Smith & Son (Building Contractors) was appointed as main contractor for the refurbishment contract in February 2009 following a competitive tender process.

The firm was delighted to work on such a challenging historic project, as a spokesman commented: "It was very satisfying to work closely with all of the partners to refurbish a local, historic building back to it's original condition - particularly as a local contractor employing local labour."

Alison Smith of Smith Architects, based in East Linton, was commissioned to act as lead consultant and conservation architect for the building. The firm has extensive experience in the field having also carried out the recent major conservation project at Lennoxlove, Haddington, and the regeneration project at Prestonkirk House, East Linton to form a library, day centre and flats.

All original shopfittings have been restored and reinstated within the shop including the timber 'laboratory' display (complete with chemical names giving a glimpse of its pharmaceutical past) and the awning to the front - this was a condition of the planning permission. The original engraved glass sign above the shop door saying 'The Laboratory Established 1860' can now also be seen quite clearly.

(GK/BMcc)