Community / Plans to convert Cunningsburgh church into cafe and craft shop
CUNNINGSBURGH could have a cafe again if plans to revamp the village’s former Church of Scotland kirk come to fruition.
Under the plans there would also be a space in the building for selling locally made crafts.
A planning application for the church’s change of use and conversion has now been submitted to Shetland Islands Council by applicant Brian Hughson, who is from Cunningsburgh.
The project would also see part of the church – which is more than 100 years old – be turned into residential accommodation for the applicant and his partner.
The proposal will come as a welcome boost to Cunningsburgh after the cafe and farm shop in Mackenzie’s at the north end of the village closed last year.
Speaking to Shetland News, Hughson said the plan would be to work to the accommodation part first before focusing on the commercial side of things.
The kirk in Cunningsburgh, located just off the A970 opposite the school, was put up for sale in 2021 as part of the Church of Scotland’s move to reduce its estate in Shetland.
The planning application says the move to revamp the church would see the “character and presence” retained.
The cafe would be located in the church’s main hall, with an open plan design.
The plans include a retail shopping area on the first floor featuring locally made crafts, which would overlook the cafe below.
The plans also state a new decked area to the front of the main building would provide additional seating, while new kitchen and toilet facilities would be installed.
The church’s existing entrance area, kitchen and rear annex would be turned into a separate, one bedroom apartment.
Planning documents said the proposal could create two to three new jobs – while at the same time offering a place to visit for local residents and visitors too.
They add that the design would maintain full height arch windows, pitch pine hammer trusses and vaulted ceilings in the building.
Hughson suggested the hope is to offer something that is more than just a cafe to attract Shetland’s growing tourist trade.
He has been doing some craft work in his spare time and said the revamped church could be a place to display and sell his work, as well as other other people’s.
“I think there’s a lot of folk in Shetland with ideas, but it’s finding somewhere to get it out to the market and for folk to see it and sell it,” Hughson said.
He added that and his partner had looked another kirks which were being sold off but went for Cunningsburgh.
Some painting has been taking place on the church’s exterior to brighten things up, but obviously the main work would only take place once the necessary consents are in place.
Hughson said the kirk enjoys some nice features which should be maintained – “you’re not just wanting to walk into a square room”, he added.
He said: “It will always be the kirk, and you’ll never take that away from it. Hopefully we’ll keep the features as the features, that will be a bonus for everybody.”
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