A new look is proposed for Huntly's Bargain Box

A popular charity shop in Huntly could be set to have a new look after plans for a new frontage were submitted to Aberdeenshire Council planners this week as part of a major redevelopment of the building.

The proposals for alterations to 55 Gordon Street which have been made on behalf of Gordon Rural Action by architects McWilliam Lippe show the replacement of the existing shop frontage to introduce traditional features more appropriate to the Huntly Conservation Area.

Across several phases so that the building can continue to be used, the rear block will be removed and a new purpose built infill which will create new space for the school uniform store and baby bank will be created in its place.

It will also include a new central corridor which runs through the building from front to back.

Existing toilet provision within the building will be relocated to better serve the staff and customers within the shop as well making the access to these facilities more private.

The reconfiguration also incorporates a large laundry space with its own dedicated drying area.

The existing board room and storage space along Torry Street will also be reconfigured by reducing the size of the boardroom to introduce an additional room/space which is intended to be flexible in use and a new entrance added.

The existing shops will remain mostly unaltered with the exception of a new shop frontage.

Currently the frontage comprises large areas of glass within a modern frame arrangement.

The planning statement states: "It is considered that the existing frontage lacks many of the features that would be associated with a traditional shop frontage and given the shops location within the Huntly Conservation Area the works will substantially replace this.

"It is proposed that the new frontage will included a new lobby set back to echo the arrangement of the Bikery next door.

"This intervention will dramatically improve the proportions and appearance of the frontage as well as making access to and from the shop more practical.

"The introduction of the lobby allows for the creation of a display area on the internal side of the new glazing giving the shop staff far greater flexibility for window displays."

The proposals also include the introduction of solar panels and battery storage which will further reduce the carbon generation within the building.

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