In March, the group bought the former hotel but their conversion plans were put on hold due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

However, the building will reopen for the first time in 18 months on Monday as a cafe with community facilities.

Opening the café has long been a dream of Pitmedden residents, who came together to revive the prominent building in the heart of the village. Their endeavour was boosted by a £100,000 grant from the Scottish Land Fund in support of the project.

Brian McDougall, chairman of the Udny Community Trust, said past consultations had revealed that residents most wanted to see the old hotel brought back to life as a cafe. He said he was absolutely delighted to confirm the cafe’s opening date.

The community cafe is expected to become a warm and welcoming meeting place for locals visitors with space for toddler and youth clubs, as well as health and wellbeing facilities.

A team of both paid staff and dedicated volunteers will be in charge of serving a wide range of locally produced food to cater for most tastes and dietary requirements, The Press and Journal reports.