Big plans to turn church into new Littles eatery Restaurant on the move
A Blairgowrie-based chef’s prayers to get the chance to breathe new life into a former east Perthshire church have been answered.
Willie Little wants to create an eatery in the former Riverside Methodist Church in Rattray.
The sandstone building, first erected in 1820, is a short distance across the Ericht Bridge from his existing restaurant, Littles, which is situated on the corner of Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow.
Mr Little has been at the helm of his current premises for the last five years and recently submitted a planning application to Perth and Kinross Council hoping to secure the green light which would allow him to relocate his business to the larger site across the water.
And he revealed yesterday: “Planning is now through for us to take this project to the next stage, and begin work on turning this striking and well-known landmark into an inviting restaurant, still bearing the Littles name.
“We have been very happy at our present location at Wellmeadow, but this building, just over the river, offers us the chance to develop a much larger restaurant with good inside and outside space.”
The local businessman added that the plans include safeguarding the former church’s notable stained glass windows – one of which was installed in 1922 to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Labour Corps in the First World War.
Mr Little continued: “We will landscape the outside space.
“We hope to create something which is a real asset to Blairgowrie and Rattray.”
The work is being carried out by a team of local tradesmen.
Mr Little will continue to operate his other local business, fishmonger’s Fish in Crieff. The former Riverside Church in Rattray. Inset, the Labour Corps memorial window