A HELENSBURGH charity's plans for the town's landmark Clock Tower building have been warmly welcomed.

As reported in the Advertiser last week, the seafront building has been sold for an undisclosed sum to the Tower Digital Arts Centre by national tourism agency VisitScotland.

The new owners say they will use the building as a box office for local events and festivals, while their plans also include a brand new cafe.

The charity is also to explore the possibility of becoming a VisitScotland “information partner” – in an echo of the property’s former use as a tourist information centre.

Argyll and Bute Council leader and Helensburgh councillor Aileen Morton added: “The Clock Tower is a Helensburgh landmark so I’m delighted to hear that it has now been successfully sold on – the worst possible option would have been for it to sit empty for years.

“I hope the Tower are able to have it open to the public again very soon and particularly welcome their plans to explore the possibility of it being part of the Visit Scotland VIP network.”

VisitScotland put the Clock Tower up for sale in the summer of 2016 with a price tag of £65,000 and later said they would be “open” to the possibility of a community buy-out for less than the market value.

Helensburgh Community Council explored the idea of a community buy-out, but decided the maintenance costs would be too steep.

News of the building being put up for sale led to concern over the provision of visitor information in the town.

And the news that the new owners are to consider becoming an information partner – joining ten Helensburgh businesses who are already part of the scheme – has been welcomed by the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce.

A spokeswoman said: “We have to welcome the news that the old Clock Tower will be given a new lease of life after a period of disuse since Visit Helensburgh vacated it.

“The building itself is in a pretty poor state and hopefully it will now get the care and attention it badly needs in terms of repair and maintenance.

“We also look forward to seeing the benefits from the further development of the relationship with the VisitScotland Information Partnership, as marketing the town as a destination could do with a boost.”

Jackie Baillie MSP, who tabled questions at the Scottish Parliament over the building’s sale, said: “The key test for me was whether the sale of the Clock Tower would benefit both the community and the local economy.

“The Tower Digital Arts Centre has a great track record in attracting visitors to Helensburgh and I welcome their plans to open a box office to promote local events and festivals.

"The Clock Tower is a key landmark building and these plans will put it at the heart of the town’s offering to tourists.”