A long-awaited report into the state of Ayr's Station Hotel has been delayed.
Bosses at South Ayrshire Council had earmarked this month for the release of a feasibility study on their next options.
But the document has now been pushed back until next month, officials have confirmed.
The hotel, which is privately owned, has fallen under the council's emergency guidance since 2018 when it was issued with a Dangerous Building Notice.
The council has since spent seven figures attempting to make the crumbling pile safe.
But two break-ins towards the end of last year, which raised huge concerns over the internal state of the building, have hastened the need for a resolution.
It led to Ayr police chief Brian Anderson issuing a 'stay out' warning to the public over concerns someone could be seriously injured inside the hotel.
The Ayrshire Post told last month how talks had taken place between leading councillors and representatives of a potential new owner for the site.
Critical to any deal being done, though, is a financial agreement being struck between the council and current owner Eng Huat Ung.
Both parties have been locked in a stalemate with no progress since the council swooped in to secure the building almost three years ago.
A public consultation was held in the latter part of last year, with more than 1200 people responding on the future of the hotel.
Council insiders say the report is likely to put the cost of saving the hotel at "astronomical levels".
A Council spokesperson said: "The independent feasibility study for the building at Ayr Train Station is now expected to be published in February.
"The slight delay allows further time to consider how recent developments can be reflected in the study.
"When complete, the feasibility study will be published on our website."
