ABBOT HOUSE in Dunfermline will open its doors once again this spring.

While it may not be a full opening, visitors will be able to enjoy the venue's Welcome Hub, Gift Shop and Artisan Workshop.

Work on the cafe and other features will then start, and an escape room challenge will be created within the War Room at the historic Maygate building.

Ideas for the proposed restaurant that sparked local excitement when it was announced initially – back in 2016 – have been put on the back burner, while the artisan bakery has been ruled out.

The target date for the £530,000 redevelopment and relaunch of the A-listed building has changed over the years with various factors forcing delays following its 2015 closure.

Louise Hutchison, operations manager for Abbot House SCIO (charity), could not reveal the date that's being targeted for the start of the phased opening but she said spring was "much more tangible" in comparison to previous targets as work was now "well under way".

She told the Press: "I understand that people have been frustrated by the length of time it's taken to re-open.

"The reason for that is because everything has been gone over with a fine toothcomb.

"We need to make it as sustainable as possible. We need to give it the best possible opportunity to be successful and be open for a long time for people to enjoy."

Financial decisions have been made carefully and although the Abbot House team had hoped a bakery would be on its way, Ms Hutchison said it would be a "risk".

"We would have liked to have it but it was going to be too expensive and too risky," she explained.

"We're happy we'll have the artisan workshop in its place which we think is a better option because it connects better with the heritage of the building and it will offer and support heritage learning and skills."

The first-floor restaurant was set to be headed up by "one of Scotland's best chefs" but the expensive ambitions are sidelined for now.

Ms Hutchison said: "There are no restaurant plans at this moment in time but we're not ruling it out.

"It could happen in the future if we believe it could really add value to everyone that comes here.

"We're starting with the cafe/coffee shop and we'll then take things from there.

"Ultimately, we need people to support us. The more people that come in, the more we can do going forward."

The new gift shop will offer a range of local and Scottish products, while the Welcome Hub at the entrance to the shop will provide visitors with the story of Abbot House as well as a guide to other attractions in the town.

It will also display a schedule of classes and events to be held in the workshop, situated in the former brew house outside.

Limitations around installing toilets within a 500-year-old house have meant keeping their external toilet block but these existing toilets will be upgraded.

A new Go Escape room will also be welcomed in an effort to attract younger visitors.

Work on the remainder of the house is due to start after the completion of the welcome hub, gift shop, workshop and escape room.

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville paid a visit to meet board trustees recently and commented: "Once restored, Abbot House will make an excellent addition to Dunfermline’s town centre, with something to offer for locals and visitors alike.

"Louise (Hutchison) and the team have put an incredible amount of work into this project so far. I was delighted to meet up with them to discuss their most recent progress.

"With exciting projects like this under way, there’s no doubting our town centre’s huge potential!”