Kensington town council has given its blessing for staff to rent out a community-owned, unused, blacksmith shop to someone who want to use it to sell fish and chips .
Council voted unanimously during its Monday night meeting to move ahead with the proposal, which was put forward by Karen and Trent Murphy.
The town has set its rent for the building at $2,400 for the period between May 1 and Oct. 31, for a five-year lease agreement. The Murphy’s must also assume all costs associated with converting the blacksmith shop to suite their purpose.
Some councillors had previously voiced concerns that allowing the development could irreparably change a piece of community history, but also said they couldn’t see any other use for the building that would be practical.
The building is known as the James Mullally Blacksmith Shop and is part of the town-owned Railway Complex off Broadway Street North.
