NEW businesses could be based within a landmark building at the heart of Haddington within a matter of months.

Work to transform the former George Hotel, at the eastern end of the town’s High Street, has been ongoing since last summer.

Now two units, marketed as George Court and each measuring about 1,700 sq ft, are available to rent.

Jim Wilkie, director of MNH (Haddington) Ltd, was pleased with the project’s progress.

Planning permission was given in June last year to change the hotel – which had been empty for a number of years – into 15 flats, a retail unit which is being marketed as a gallery, and a cafe.

Mr Wilkie, who has also been involved with developments at Broad Sands and West Bay Apartments in North Berwick, said that a launch event would take place towards the end of the month in a bid to attract interest.

Various work has been carried out in recent months both inside and outside the building to improve the appearance and ensure it is wind and watertight.

Attention is now turning to the flats, with Mr Wilkie confident work would be carried out over the next 12 months.

Mr Wilkie said: “It will definitely be this year. We’ve not finalised our work programme yet but it will be this year.”

The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland noted that the former hotel had lain vacant since 2011.

Documents in Mr Wilkie’s planning application said the building had been “actively marketed” as a hotel/restaurant/function suite for some time “without success”.

East Lothian Council’s planning department said it was “accepted that reasonable efforts have been made” to market it as a hotel.

Jan Wilson, chairwoman of Haddington and District Community Council, was pleased to see the look of the building had improved.

She said: “It is good to see the building being used and I wish them every success. I hope it brings people into the town as well.”