Men's Shed in Alford given green light to take over vacant Aberdeenshire garages for just £1

Alford and District Men’s Shed members have been given the green light to take over vacant council garages for just £1.

The group submitted a community asset transfer request for the old Aberdeenshire Council garages on Murray Terrace. They explained that they wanted to use the large three-bay facility as storage space.

It was used in previous years by the local authority to store its vehicles. The Men’s Shed explained that the garages would be used to free up space in their current base just up the road.

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Group members have been struggling to make the most of their workshop due to the woodworking area being used as storage. Items that are ready for sale or upcycling are being kept in the workshop, further restricting the group’s activities.

Therefore, it was felt that getting some additional space would allow the Men’s Shed to take on more projects. It also means they can welcome other community groups in and around the village to both their base and the garages too.

To date, the Men’s Shed has worked with schools, Donside Community Council and the Alford Christmas Festival Group.

The group is also hoping to turn its base into a resilience hub for residents to take shelter during emergency incidents or storms. Members said the garages had been targeted by vandals and would need secured and protected from further damage.

This work can be carried out by the Men’s Shed, who have a proven record of revamping their existing buildings. Previous trustees and members converted the former Alford Academy technical block into a community facility back in 2016.

The group is aware that the garages will need some minor works and refurbishment to bring them back into use once again. During the conversion, members will aim to make the building accessible and wheelchair friendly.

They may even consider knocking the building down and build a new purpose-built facility if costs allow. But an objection submitted to the local authority feared the building could end up as a “huge liability” to the group.

It added: “If all they can offer the community is some limited storage then it is not in the interests of the community for the council to hand over this valuable asset.”

The Alford group’s request went before the Marr area committee earlier today for consideration.

Councillor Gwyneth Petrie said she was “more than content” for the asset transfer to be approved. The group have taken on other assets within the area and have delivered on them and delivered well for the communities,” she stated.

“I look forward to seeing what they do with it and I’m delighted to see that going forward.”

It seems her view was shared with the rest of the committee as members unanimously agreed to give the transfer the go-ahead.