THE former Cross Keys in Selkirk will reopen as a community hub next month.

Scottish Borders Council bought the former town-centre pub earlier this year.

And will fling open its doors towards the end of October as the base for the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme.

The CARS project has already began with seven renovation projects being granted funding.

And it is hoped the new premises will encourage other property owners to come forward.

Chair of the Selkirk CARS Steering Group, Lawrence Robertson, said: “The former Cross Keys will be our temporary base for the next two years.

“We hope to be open by the end of October and will hold an event at the start of November for everyone to come and see what we are doing.” It is hoped that the YES Arts Festival will also be based in the former Cross Keys and that other community groups will make use of the building.