Fresh moves could be made to rescue the former Flicks nightclub, which has been branded a “blight” on Brechin town centre.
Angus Council is understood to be lining up a proposal to save the High Street property, which was a mecca for clubbers from across the UK at its peak, but for years has been an eyesore target for vandals.
The authority is staying tight-lipped over speculation it is leading a plan to secure the building after councillors recently considered a private report into property options in central Brechin, with speculation a bid for support from the Tay Cities deal may be made to breathe new life into the centre of the town.
The nightclub is understood to be owned by an Irish-based developer but even after being put on the market with a price tag of £0 last year, has failed to find a bidder willing to take on the task of bringing it back into use.
In its heyday of the 1980 and 90s, the club set up in the former cinema on a prime High Street spot was an unlikely gem in the UK nightclub scene, attracting big names of the day including chart-toppers, soap stars and other celebrity names including then Radio One DJ Steve Wright and Page 3 model Samantha Fox.
Originally opened as the 820-seat Kings Cinema in 1927, it has been on Scotland’s buildings at risk register for almost a decade.
Angus Council previously formed a plan to buy the building around 2010 as part of the Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative which included restoration of the historic Merchant’s House just yards away on the opposite side of the High Street, but the authority was unable to strike a deal within the required timescale.
The council has declined to comment on the contents of the private report which was considered by the recent communities committee, and a spokesperson confirmed the property was not currently on the list of planning enforcement cases.
Brechin and Edzell SNP councillor Kenny Braes said that while he could not comment on the so-called green paper private committee report, he was unhappy about the state of Flicks and other dilapidated town centre buildings.
“This situation has gone on for far too long in Brechin,” said Mr Braes.
“A few rogue property owners are dragging the whole town down, whilst so many people are trying their best to give Brechin a lift.
“It’s high time we got a bit tougher on them.
“I’ll continue to bring pressure on the administration to see it happens. I expect to see some positive steps soon,” he said.
Community council chair Jill Scott said: “It is a blight on the High Street and the people of Brechin will be absolutely delighted if something is done with it.
“Every year there are vandalism problems with kids breaking in, so it’s obviously a fire risk as well.
“The council board it up and it’s just kicked in again.
“The whole area around there is just a disaster and it’s been raised as an issue at the community council for years but it would cost a huge amount of money for someone to take it on,” she added.
