Border Telegraph | News | New pub plan for dry village

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 16th November, 2006 09:22

New pub plan for dry village

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

Print Article

LOCHSIDE lager could soon be the order of the day in Tweedbank.

For a Galashiels publican plans to build a pub in the booze-free village.

And if Sandy Craig gets his way, staff could be pouring pints by the start of next summer.

The current owner of H20 has submitted a full planning application to create a 430 sq-metre food-orientated lounge and bar, between the shop and Gunknowe Loch.

The spacious tavern will be finished in white roughcast and natural stone.

Sandy told the Border Telegraph: “Tweedbank is crying out for a pub.

“Apart from a hairdresser’s and little shop it has little else in the way of amenities.

“The village is growing all the time and the railway will be coming soon – it is going to get bigger and busier over the next few years. It is a thriving community and a pub which concentrates on food and families has to be a welcome addition.”

The publican already gained permission to build on the site a decade ago, but the project never got off the ground.

He added: “The whole area was in economical decline 10 years ago. We had planning permission, a building warrant and a licence, but the climate just wasn’t right for going ahead.

“It is a different story today. The whole of the Scottish Borders is on the up and up. I believe a pub in the village will be very successful.

“I’m sure some will say that Tweedbank is close enough to Galashiels or Melrose for pubs, but I think the village deserves its own.”

Tweedbank’s population is on the verge of breaking through the 2,000 barrier – and is one of the largest settlements in Scotland without a licenced bar.

Mr Craig has also submitted outline plans to build short-stay accommodation on the other side of the entrance to the shop.

But he admits the travel-lodge-type building is very much the second phase of his plans.

The applications are expected to be considered by the planning committee in either December or January.

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