A LONG-TIME office building in Galashiels which has been flood-hit three times in recent years could be converted into residential use.

Matthew Fraser Brydon purchased 113 Channel Street in 2003 and spent £15,000 carrying out renovation work.

The property had been the offices of Buchan’s solicitors, who vacated some four years prior to the purchase.

It was leased to several businesses over the next 20 years with periods of non-occupancy.

During these years the property was flooded, on three occasions, with extensive damage to the ornate ceilings.

Now the property is not able to acquire flood cover as a business and an application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council to change its use to residential.

In a submission with his application, Mr Brydon says: “Channel Street is slowly losing retail occupancy (most recently Poundland 2/24) with several more set to vacate, I believe.

“I cannot secure flood insurance cover, I cannot sell or lease as there are no takers, believe me I have tried, obtaining ‘change of use’ to residential will secure a buyer (I have had two professional independent valuations) and the property will then obtain insurance cover as a domestic residence.”