Old riverside furniture shop may be developed for homes in new plan

A historic building in Stonehaven which was most recently a rug shop could be transformed into two homes under new plans.

Paul Mulcair UK has come forward with proposals to bring the old John Briggs Furniture store at Bridgefield back to life.

The distinctive building sits next to the River Carron and across from The Carron fish and chip shop.

Developers are hoping to convert the basement and part of the ground floor into a four-bedroom flat.

A two-bedroom home would be created across the rest of the ground floor and entire first floor.

A small extension would be built at the back to provide a bigger bathroom on the upper floor.

The old workshop at the rear of the site would be demolished so a parking area and private garden could be created.

The C-listed building dates from the mid-to -late 19th Century but was extended in the 1920s by Thomson Joiners.

It was initially built as a joiner’s workshop and the basement was used by Stonehaven Joinery Service.

Part of the former shop was used as the office of Stonehaven Provost during the 1890s.

The site is also in a conservation area.

The Stonehaven rug shop was owned by John Briggs and was in business for more than 20 years.

He bought the building in 1995 but it closed its doors for the final time in April 2019.

He had objected to the council’s flood protection scheme saying he would have difficulty insuring the building and customers while the new flood walls were built.

Mr Briggs has since moved his shop to Inverbervie.

Agents Albyn Architects say the conversion plan “ensures the longevity of the building”.

They argue the proposal “provides the town centre with muchneeded new residential accommodation”.

And the agents also said the plan would allow residents to “stay in the heart of the community”.

The former John Briggs Furniture shop, Stonehaven.

The River Carron flows by the quirky building.