SIR, I note that last week Kenneth Gunn of Selkirk bemoaned the fact the former Cross Keys pub is not to reopen as a hostelry and he suggested that Scottish Borders Council, in conjunction with a community group, could buy the premises and reopen the pub.

The fact is that in a town with at least seven places, including four hotels, where one can walk in off the street and buy alcohol at a bar, and numerous clubs as well, there is no need for any more drinking establishments in the town.

Community buyouts only exist where the sole local pub has closed, in say a village or small town, and there are no other public drinking establishments left - a situation we don’t have in Selkirk.

As an ex SBC Councillor, Mr Gunn should know that the council would likely never get involved in anywhere dispensing alcohol.

For example, in the village of Tweedsmuir, the local people have had to raise considerable sums to just buy the now closed historic inn, without any financial help from the council.

In these still financially straightened times, would Mr Gunn rather see the council spending hard pressed taxpayers money on a drinking establishment rather than on services, many of which have been curtailed?

As regards the Fleshmarket steps, Mr Gunn said they are no steeper than the Kirk Wynd and the steps should be taken away to allow disabled access.

I am a retired Ambulance Technician, professionally trained to move people in wheelchairs, and I can tell Mr Gunn that it would be nigh impossible for the average person to push a wheelchair up that gradient at the side of the Town Hall.

I also note that Mr Gunn took a pop at Lawrence Robertson of the town’s Regeneration Group.

I personally do not know Mr Robertson, but I have heard many opinions and Mr Robertson has in many people’s eyes, in the last five years or so, done far more for Selkirk through the Regeneration Group and Haining Trust than Mr Gunn did as a Councillor - and Mr Robertson hasn’t taken a penny for his services, it’s all voluntary, unlike ex Councillor Gunn as attested by his openly-published salary and expenses over five years in office.

I always recall Mr Gunn’s proud claim in this newspaper, when upon being elected to SBC on May 4, 2007, he proudly claimed he and I quote, “I will fight for a bypass!”.

We’ve still to see any visible signs of fighting on that subject by Mr Gunn seven years and more up the road!

I am, etc.

Brian Hill Ettrickhaugh Road Selkirk