New move to bring old court back to life

Group hopes ideas will be put forward to secure ‘best outcome for community’

The group behind bringing the former Arbroath sheriff court building back into use is to host a public meeting.

Arbroath Courthouse Community Trust was formed in 2014 and since then members have been investigating how to acquire the building as a community asset.

Chairman Angus Roberts said the empty building could be a modern, multi-functional community and social business centre, run by the community, for the community.

An opportunity for the public to express ideas will take place on Monday from 5pm with the public meeting being held at 7pm in the courthouse.

Mr Roberts said it was an excellent opportunity for people to convey their thoughts and ideas to “ensure the trust can secure the best outcome for the community”.

He said the endeavour has proved to be “a very lengthy process not anticipated when we first started out some three years previous”.

“During that period we have had support from various funding and charitable agencies to convene public meetings, carry out social surveys, analyse case studies of similar projects in Scotland, produce a comprehensive outline business plan and continue protracted negotiations with the Scottish Court Service’s property team,” he said.

“All such activities have been time consuming and onerous but necessary in order to achieve the aim the trust set out to do.

“The trust recently received a grant from the Scottish Land Fund to allow this work to continue.

“We are now updating the business plan involving further local consultation with interested groups and individuals to ascertain what the community would like to see incorporated into a community facility of this type, owned and run by the community.”

Mr Roberts said the courthouse would be converted over time to make it more flexible.

Discussions are also continuing with Architectural Heritage Scotland with regards to the feasibility of converting the building.

He said the group had also taken inspiration from Friockhub which carried out a similar project and transformed a former primary school into a community asset.

We are now updating the business plan involving further local consultation with interested groups and individuals