A derelict hotel in Kirriemuir has been bought by a local family.

The Ewart family has announced major plans to renovate and upgrade the Airlie Arms Hotel, which had been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register.

The B-listed hotel in St Malcolm’s Wynd had become an eyesore and was identified as a priority project as part of the regeneration of Kirriemuir. Money was earmarked for the upgrading of the hotel by Angus Council.

The building was previously bought by the multinational corporation Star Pubs, but the building fell in to disrepair. Now, the Ewarts are hopeful the hotel could be back up and running by next spring.

Dilys Ewart, 24, from Broughty Ferry, said: “We have considered buying the hotel over for some time. We had a good look into the possibilities and decided the time is right to renovate and re-open the Airlie.”

Dilys said her dad Barrie, who grew up in Kirriemuir and still lives there, is her main backer. He already has business interests in Kirrie, as he owns the town’s Autosales Garage.

Dilys added: “Dad and I have gone into this together and, while I’ll be co-ordinating the project and running the hotel, he’ll be behind me all the way.”

This will be the first major foray into the hotel industry for Dilys, who has degrees in food and consumer sciences and hospitality. She hopes the first phase, with the pub, restaurant and a few rooms, will be ready to open by March.

Dilys said: “I am really excited about getting the hotel up and running and have plans to develop it stage by stage.

“My whole family is involved in this and my sister Nicola, 21, who is studying business and marketing, will be coming on board to help with the marketing side.

“She will also be baking cakes for the hotel, as that is a speciality of hers. We would quite like to become well-known for our cakes and coffee.”

Mum Diana and brother Bruce will also help get the project up and running.

The Buildings at Risk Register was set up in 1990 in response to a concern at the growing number of listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas that had fallen into a state of disrepair.