A LONG-AWAITED restaurant and deli has finally opened in Helensburgh’s former municipal buildings.

Peckham’s welcomed residents to their bar on Friday and have had a steady stream of punters checking out the development since.

It is believed to be the first time in more than quarter of a century that the category B-listed properties on the corner of East Princes Street and Sinclair Street have been in use.

Peckham’s, best known – until now – for its deli and restaurant in Hyndland, in Glasgow’s west end, said they are taking a “soft opening” approach, with the restaurant to open this Friday during the day and in the evening a week later.

A private dining room and function suite will open next month.

Peckham’s plans for the building were first reported by the Advertiser in September 2016, when the company applied for permission for a ‘change of use’ at the premises and to carry out internal alterations.

Tony Johnstone, who runs the Glasgow-based food firm, secured permission to develop the site back in 2017 but extensive structural work was needed by its previous owners, Argyll and Bute Council, before ownership could be transferred.

And the firm was only months into starting the project when the pandemic hit.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Peckham's has opened on the corner of East Princes Street and Sinclair StreetPeckham's has opened on the corner of East Princes Street and Sinclair Street (Image: Peckham's)

Mr Johnstone told the Advertiser: “We’ve had a super reaction - it’s been fantastic.

“I absolutely love the space. It’s a fantastic building and there’s so much history and heritage for the whole area.

“The building has been beautifully built and we have done our best to keep it respectful of the original design.”

Tony said that during their development of the building, workers discovered two dead pigeons in a fireplace - one being a homing pigeon with a tag from 48 years ago.

After they opened, a former worker from the building’s days in council ownership visited and was amazed at the transformation, he said.

The building used to house a police station, Helensburgh Town Council’s chambers and the town’s district court.

It was formally sold to Peckham’s Investments Limited by Argyll and Bute Council back in 2019.

The second phase of the project will create a retail delicatessen and short-stay apartments at some point in the future.

“I always wanted to see their faces when they saw it,” Mr Johnstone said.

“There will always be a demand. People want to go out, and meet people, and be pampered. And hopefully, we will do that well.

“Helensburgh has always been fond to me. I was always invited to come down from various customers from our west end store.

“Well, here I am - a few decades late.”