Casey Construction is set to begin redevelopment work at a historic property in Kirkwall.

The contractor will start work on the 19th century Storehouse building in Bridge Street Wynd at the beginning of April.

The B-listed building is being transformed into a 'restaurant with rooms' by local husband and wife team Judith Glue and David Spence. Features will include a large internal courtyard restaurant with retail and food and drink production space created on the ground floor and eight luxury rooms for guests on the upper two floors.

The project, which will take 14 months to complete, has been part funded with a grant from the Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative (KTHI).

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Richard Ritch, Kirkwall THI Manager said: "This is a prominent building in central Kirkwall, and one with a huge amount of local history, so we are pleased to see it as part of the scheme.

"Although the THI is helping support this project, it's important to recognise that there is no way this building would be brought back into use without the owners having a vision for the building, making their own significant investment, and having the drive and imagination to see that realised."

The Kirkwall THI is aimed at helping to conserve and renew the built heritage of the town's historic core. It is funded by Historic Environment Scotland, The Heritage Lottery Fund and Orkney Islands Council.

It offers grants for property owners to bring vacant space within the Kirkwall Conservation Area back into use, or to carry out building repairs or restoration of architectural detail.

Since 2014, 31 property grants have been agreed. . £1,616,197 of KTHI grant has been allocated to these projects, involving an additional £1,707656 of private investment, and 14 are completed already – among them works to the West End Hotel, the former John Scott Miller building, and above 3 Bridge Street (Harbour Fry).

The Storehouse project is scheduled for completion in May 2018.

(LM/MH)