A public meeting in the Mearns will discuss the future of an at-risk tourist attraction next week.
Mill of Benholm near Johnshaven is a heritage visitor centre, the trust of which works alongside Aberdeenshire Council to provide work experience and training for adults with special needs, in catering, horticulture, furniture restoration, shop and office work.
But recent problems have led to the caf being shut, and a post on the Mill of Benholm website said health and safety issues had led to work being suspended there.
Written by trust chairman Ranjit Fernandez, it said: “Following further discussions regarding the nature of the health and safety issues identified on site, Aberdeenshire Council decided, with the agreement of the board of trustees, to temporarily suspend all trainee activities on site until a decision can be made by senior officials in Aberdeenshire Council as to how they will resolve the various concerns raised.”
The public meeting will be held in Johnshaven Village Hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm.
And the trust’s secretary states it will “actively involve members and friends of Mill of Benholm and the public at large to secure the required expertise to the board, raise the necessary funds involved, expand the current volunteer base and input to the business plan for financial stability.”
The trust is also looking to increase its number of board members from four to 10.
It is looking to recruit people in the fields of health and safety, client development, client welfare, legal, marketing, finance, fundraising and volunteering.
Anyone interested is asked to submit a CV to secretary@millofbenholm.co.uk.
A council spokeswoman said: “The Mill of Benholm is a category A listed building in South Aberdeenshire and, as such, is of importance to the local area.
“The council has supported the trust for many years and a project officer will meet with them to identify opportunities that will help them secure its long-term future.”