A £7.25m six-year project to maintain the structure and public safety of Inverness Town House continues to progress.

Earlier this week, members of the Highland Council's City of Inverness Area Committee gave the green light for the scheme to proceed to tender.

Firms will now be invited to tender for comprehensive fabric works including stone repairs and replacement, mortar re-pointing, roof repairs, rainwater goods – such as guttering and downpipes – renewal, plus window repairs and replacements.

While small repairs have been carried out on the A-listed building in the past, the last time significant works were undertaken was in 1956, but following an inspection of the property in 2009, it was reported that deterioration of the building was at a greater rate than expected. A full building condition survey was then ordered by the local authority and in May 2013, it was revealed that repairs and associated works were required to the stonework, roof and windows of the building.

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The total estimated cost for the project was estimated to be £8.8m, and members have agreed that works should start work on the original and most important part of the Town House. This phase of work is estimated at £7.25m, and once this work has been completed, the remaining refurbishments will be commissioned as a separate contract.

Leader of the City of Inverness Area, Councillor Ian Brown, said: "Inverness Town House is a jewel in the crown of Inverness City's architecture and social history. As custodians of the Inverness Common Good Fund it is vital that we ensure a future for the Town House for generations to come while ensuring that the assets of the Common Good Fund are also safeguarded."

(JP/IT)