Iconic church given new life by acclaimed restaurant.

Landmark: Planning permission has been granted for top chef to turn 200-year-old kirk building into a restaurant

I think customers will be blown away by the light and atmosphere of this church. It is a truly inspiring space which deservesto be retained in the community. WILLIE LITTLE

An award-winning restaurateur has struck a deal to breathe new life into a landmark Perthshire church.

The 200-year-old Riverside Methodist building at Rattray, on the edge of Blairgowrie, was abandoned by its congregation amid mounting maintenance costs.

Now, less than nine months after the iconic property went on the market, local chef Willie Little has secured planning permission to turn it into a restaurant.

It will become the new home for his highly acclaimed Littles Restaurant, which opened in Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie, six years ago.

The pink sandstone church, built in 1820, boasts an impressive stained glass window which was installed in 1922 to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Labour Corps in World War One.

Mr Little lodged plans to convert the building into a 100-cover restaurant – with private dining area and bar – at the end of last year.

The new establishment will retain many of the church’s original features including its pulpit and font. A car park will be built at the rear of the building.

Mr Little said: “We are delighted to make this exciting announcement about our plans for a new, larger restaurant for Littles.

“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.”

He added: “We have been very happy at our present location at Wellmeadow, but this building, just across the river, offers us the chance to develop a much larger restaurant with good inside and outside space.

“A private dining area is something I have been keen to develop for a while, as the concept has become very popular for group dining and special occasions, such as small weddings, anniversaries and birthdays.”

Mr Little said the famous stained glass window will be retained.

“I think customers will be blown away by the light and atmosphere of this church. It is a truly inspiring space which deserves to be retained in the community,” he said.

“We will landscape the outside space and improve the riverside views, which are quite breathtaking.

“We hope to create something which is a real asset to Rattray and Blairgowrie.”

Mr Little, who said he has assembled a team of local tradesmen to work on the transformation, has thanked customers for their support.

He will continue to run his awardwinning fishmongers, Fish in Crieff.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Willie Little in front of Riverside Church, Rattray, where he has revealed exciting plans for a new restaurant. Tuesday 21st March 2017.