The former Tranent Day Centre building, owned by The Co-operative, has been put up for sale, some six months after it was last in use.

The Church Street building has lain empty since closing its doors at the beginning of the year, with the town’s day centre moving to the newly built Crookston Care Home.

In February, members of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council (TECC) expressed concerns that the building was becoming “run down” and looked “tatty”.

At the time, a spokesperson for The Co-operative Estates said: “We have recently undertaken some external maintenance to maintain the building’s upkeep.

“We will continue to review this in line with our property portfolio and our rolling programme of investment across our estate.” However, less than four months on, the company has now put the building up for sale, with members of the local community taking to social media to put forward their ideas for the site.

Robert McNeill, a member of TECC, had asked for suggestions on the group’s Facebook page, with some residents saying: “Anything as long as it’s not another bookies, hairdressers or beauty salon I’ll be happy”, with a Wetherspoons pub among the favoured options.

However, Mr McNeill suggested that, with an Italian restaurant opening at the other end of High Street, the opening of the county’s second Wetherspoons seemed unlikely.

David Forrest, TECC chairman, told the Courier he hoped to see the site turned into “any kind of retail shopping that will rejuvenate the town centre, or perhaps a restaurant”, but he was against it being a fast food outlet, stating that “Tranent has enough”.

A spokesperson for The Co-operative Estates said: “This property is surplus to our requirements and so we have decided to put it on the market with a view to selling it.” Mr McNeill, meanwhile, urged any members of the public who have suggestions for the new site to contact Tranent Charrette – the planning and design initiative being undertaken to redevelop the town centre.

To get in touch with the charrette, visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/tranentcharrette