Peebles Hydro Hotel to carry out emergency repairs on roof

Peebles Hydro Hotel, on Innerleithen Road, Peebles, applied for permission from Scottish Borders Council to change the glazed areas of its ballroom roof with slate in October.

And earlier this month, the four-star hotel was given the go-ahead to begin work.

The council’s report reads: “Peebles Hotel Hydro is within the Peebles conservation area and is category B listed.

“The works, although they would see a change to the roof covering from glass to slate, as well as the removal of box style vents, would not be detrimental to the character of the listed building and to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

"I conclude that the principle of the proposed development is acceptable.”

Peebles Hydro Hotel

In the hotel’s supporting statement that was submitted alongside the application for the repairs, a hotel spokesperson said the roof is having to be inspected on a “weekly basis” to ensure it is safe.

“The roof over the ballroom at the ‘B-Listed’ Peebles Hydro Hotel is in urgent need of repair to make it safe,” said the spokesperson.

“Existing glazing bars are in a perilous state and have suffered serious erosion and a pane of glass dropped out recently landing on the stage several metres below.

“This problem is widespread across all of the glazed roof area and there have been several similar incidents previously. Any one of the glazing bars could go at any point and so there is no piecemeal patch and repair option here.

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“Currently, the roof has to be inspected on a weekly basis and suitably risk-assessed in order that the client is satisfied that it is safe for the room to be used.

“Due to the nature of the problem and the usage of the building, it is obviously a very urgent matter that requires a quick remedy.”

The hotel’s original plan was to replace the glazing like for like.

However, due to concerns including long-term safety issues and heat loss, slate was suggested instead.

The hotel spokesperson added that it was important to get the repairs done “as quickly as possible” before coronavirus restrictions are lifted and the space can be used again.

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“The hotel industry has been really badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the hotel is struggling to deal with ongoing costs in the face of continuing restrictions," said the spokesperson.

“These repairs are absolutely essential for the safety of the public and, because functions are cancelled just now and the room is mostly unused it is a unique and ideal opportunity to get the repairs done without a significant additional loss of revenue to the hotel.

“For this reason, we are keen to take advantage and get the repairs carried out as quickly as possible before restrictions are lifted and the space can be opened up again.

"These are exceptional times and the hotel really cannot afford to lose any potential revenue.”