Demolition of the former St Andrews Abattoir is now well under way as the developer behind a new Marks & Spencer and Premier Inn development on the site steps up its construction programme.
The derelict complex on Largo Road will be demolished within six weeks and replaced by a new 65-bedroom Premier Inn and a Mark & Spencer’s Simply Food, which is due to open in time for the Open Championship next summer.
Since obtaining planning consent in January, Crucible (St Andrews) Ltd have been going through the process of satisfying the conditions set by Fife Council, obtaining all necessary building warrants and completing the detailed design of the development.
The developer says all of this is now done and the scheme is due for completion in the early summer of 2015.
Company spokesman Brian Robinson said: “We are delighted that the people of St Andrews can now see something coming out of the ground on this site.
“We have been involved in the project for more than two years and it is extremely satisfying to see the construction of the development commencing.
“A huge amount of effort has gone into getting to this stage and we are hopeful that the construction phase of the development will progress smoothly.”
Crucible (St Andrews Ltd) has signed a funding agreement for the development with clients of Aberdeen Asset Management.
Aberdeen Asset Management’s assistant fund manager Laura Hughes said:“We are delighted to have been able to fund the development in partnership with Crucible (St Andrews) Ltd.
“The location of the site and tenant line up with both Marks & Spencer’s and Premier Inn signed up on long-term leases, means this is an extremely attractive investment for our clients.”