A NEW restaurant in Helensburgh's former municipal buildings is expected to open by May next year, councillors have been told

The restaurant will form the first phase of development plans for the building, on the corner of Sinclair Street and East Princes Street, by Glasgow deli firm Peckhams.

A new report on the progress of the building's sale to Peckhams says that the transaction is expected to be completed in December or January, once a building warrant for the property is secured.

In an update to Argyll and Bute Council's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee last week, the authority's property development manager, Ross McLaughlin, said the only outstanding matter was a specialist fire safety report.

Mr McLaughlin told members of the committee: "The final piece of the jigsaw is a fire strategy report.

“The building warrant has now been submitted but a number of amendments are required to meet council and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service requirements.

"I had hoped to be able to tell you today that the sale had been completed, but because of the complicated roof structure of the building and the resulting fire escape mechanisms, final drawings are still awaited from a fire safety consultant.

"Once those drawings are completed I'm very hopeful that the transaction will be completed in January."

Mr McLaughlin's report was compiled after chairs, tables, bookcases and other items were put up for sale by the council last month.

It says: "Peckhams have purchased a number of items and shall be re-conditioning them for use within their new restaurant and dining area which they have programmed to open in May 2018 as first phase of their development."

The council approved Peckhams' application for planning permission for a deli and restaurant on the ground floor, with function suites and six flats on the upper floors, in November 2016.

The firm's original application sought permission to provide outdoor seating at the front and rear of the property, but in response to views from the public and statutory consultees, the plans for seating at the rear were scrapped.

The company also agreed to reduce the width of the outdoor seating area in Sinclair Street, and not to continue the outdoor seating around the corner into East Princes Street.

A provisional liquor licence for the property was granted by the Argyll and Bute licensing board in April.