PLANS to convert a former clothes shop in Helensburgh by splitting one shop unit into two have been lodged with planning officials.

An application for ‘listed building consent’ has been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council for the former M&Co premises on the ground floor of 38-40 Sinclair Street.

The shop unit forms part of an A-listed building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh which has been described as the renowned architect’s “hidden gem”.

The town's M&Co store closed on April 20 after the company collapsed into administration.

The Renfrewshire-based business was bought by AK Retail Holdings, but the sale did not include any of the company's store facilities.

The premises formerly occupied by M&Co were originally two units, and the new application seeks permission to convert them back to their original form.

The application has been lodged by agents Hardies Property & Construction Consultants, of Dunfermline, though the applicants are SAVA Estates Ltd, of Albert Drive on Glasgow’s south side.

Documents lodged as part of the application state that there would be no alterations to the external shop fronts of either No 38 or No 40.

The upper floors of the building are occupied by the Mackintosh Club – opened by Kilcreggan architects and designers Bruce and  Nicola Jamieson, who bought that part of the property from M&Co at auction in 2016.

In April the couple spoke to the Advertiser of their hopes that they could acquire the ground floor following M&Co’s closure, through the formation of a ‘community interest company’, with the eventual ambition of turning the whole building into a ‘multi-level destination’ for architecture and design and to show off Mackintosh’s work - and of making Helensburgh a 'Mackintosh town'.

Dating back to 1894, the building was constructed as a clubhouse for the Helensburgh and Gareloch Conservative Club, and was Mackintosh’s first complete commission.

Andrew Bonar Law, who would later serve - albeit briefly - as UK Prime Minister, was on the committee for the building project.

Argyll and Bute Council has set a target date of Monday, February 19 for a decision on the conversion plans.

The application, and associated documents, can be viewed on the planning portal at Argyll and Bute Council’s website by clicking here.