Published: Thursday, 13th December, 2007 09:30
Bright future is in store
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A LEGAL hurdle stalling the £1.15 million restoration of McArthur’s stores has been cleared – paving the way for work to start on securing the historic building’s future.
Dunbar Harbour Trust had expected work to begin at the 17th century warehouse six months ago but faced unexpected delays when funds from key sponsors were withheld until harbour trustees could prove ownership of the building.
The deeds to the building were lost in antiquity and trustees had to officially register as the keepers of the land before funding could be released.
Refurbishment project manager, George McNeill, told the Courier that funding had been in place for months but Dunbar Harbour Trust had to wait for the legal process “to catch up”.
He said: “The grants had to be underpinned by standard security, and because the original title deeds did not exist. Lawyers have had to find a different way of proving ownership which they did by registering it the old fashioned way with sasines.
“Grants could not be released until the standard security agreement was in place.”
With ownership by Dunbar Harbour Trust confirmed, contracts for the work have now been signed and contractors will be on site on Monday.
Work on transforming the building on Dunbar’s Cromwell harbour will take up to 11 months to complete.
Harbour Trust chairman, Colin McWhannel, said: “Signing the contract last week means we are going to secure the future of this historic building for future generations.”
And George McNeill added: “When it is finished, McArthur’s stores will look fantastic and provide 10 workshop stores for fishermen, an office space and meeting room.
“It has been a major undertaking getting the building cleared out by the fishermen as there has been decades worth of material to move.
“This is now housed in temporary containers at the other end of the harbour and work can start next week preparing the site for the actual restoration to get underway straight after the Christmas break.”
The stores have been mainly used in recent times for the making, mending and storing of equipment by town fishing crews.
On completion, fisherman will have to pay a modest rent – which will help meet maintenance costs – but will benefit from vastly improved conditions.
One, Kevin Keillor said: “There is currently no light or heat in the stores. It’s great this work is being done.”
Heritage bodies and East Lothian Council have provided the bulk of the grants for the project.
It’s hoped tourists will visit the stores to see the fisherman at work.
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