AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to regenerate a historic building in Tranent town centre.

Local businessman George Thomson last week bought the former day centre building, on Winton Place, and unveiled his vision for the building to the Courier.

He intends to redevelop the building into a three-storey “community hub”, complete with coffee shop and new post office, as well as providing new flats.

Mr Thomson said that the building, previously owned by The Co-operative, had been underused for “probably the last 20 years".

And he hopes to regenerate the west side of the town centre, following the recent work that has taken place to its east with the building of the new Aldi store, and Asda replacing the Co-op store on High Street.

Mr Thomson, 54, said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge.

“I really want to make the building at the heart of the community, and I don’t think the triangle [at the war memorial] is really used enough.

“We’ll have a coffee shop and a new post office going in here, but we’re also keen to secure the long-term future of [youth group] Recharge [which is based in the building], because the work they do is brilliant for the community.”

Mr Thomson, of Coal Neuk Corner, who has bought the building in partnership with his wife Susan, outlined his timescales for the project.

He said: “We’re probably looking at the next 18 months I’d say. I’d like the coffee shop to be open May or June but I’m probably kidding myself – that will most likely be the end of next summer.

“As for the flats, I think they could be ready this time next year.”

Mr Thomson also confirmed Recharge would remain open to the area’s youngsters during the renovation process, which will see the building completely overhauled.

“It’s a great facility, and it’s one that the kids need so we have to keep it opened,” he said.

Alan Bell, Recharge project manager, was delighted to see the facility’s long-term future confirmed.

He said: “It is great to be able to have that stability for the first time ever, really.

“It’s good news for the community too, and it means we can offer more support to the young people in the area.”

Simon Davie, area partnership manager, was also “delighted”. He said: “I’m looking forward to working with George on securing the future of Recharge, and his innovative ideas for the rest of the development.”