A BORDERS hotel has been rescued from closure and will soon welcome back guests.

The Waverley Castle Hotel, near Melrose, faced an uncertain future last year when its owner at the time, Shearings Hotels, went into administration.

Now under new ownership, the 77-bedroom business will reopen on Monday (May 17) in line with the relaxation of coronavirus rules.

Bespoke Hotel’s portfolio managing director Paul FitzGerald said: “Given the enormous challenges of the last few months, we’re delighted to bring the Waverley Castle hotel back to market."

He added: “It’s a lovely property in a delightful location, and we know the initial closure was felt keenly amongst the local community.

“But now, with reopening plans in place, we’re able to offer not just jobs and wider tourism opportunities, but a hospitality service that people can engage with as restrictions lift.”

The change in ownership comes after a hotel management agreement with Bespoke Hotels – and the Waverley Castle is now part of the ‘Coast & Country Hotel Collection’, which consists of former Shearings-owned properties.

The Waverley Castle, which is set in five acres of parkland, offers rooms from £68 per night for bed and breakfast.

It will reopen under general manager James Moutrie, who was in the same role previously. The hotel says it is in the process of recruiting 40 staff.

Bespoke Hotels’ managing director Thomas Greenall said: “Coast & Country Hotel Collection is made up of some prominent local hotels in some wonderful and well-established leisure locations and we’re thrilled to be able to facilitate their reopening

“We know the initial closures of many of these properties caused a real stir in their local communities last year, so we hope they’ll be keen to embrace their reopening and support the individual hotels in their endeavours.”

He added: “We hope this will be regarded as a very positive move for the area – delivering jobs, support for communities and vital trade for suppliers and ancillary businesses.”