SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) has appointed a contractor to demolish a former pub.

The “deteriorating” Cross Keys Inn building, on Market Place, Selkirk, is owned by the local authority.

And it has now been revealed that the £158,716 demolition contract has been awarded to Glasgow-based firm Burnfield Builders and Demolishers Ltd.

SBC received six tenders, according to details published on Public Contracts Scotland.

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The former pub and adjoining residential property will be demolished.

In February 2020, the Border Telegraph revealed that SBC was intending to demolish the pub – but there was no money to fund the work.

The council bought the building to prevent “undesirable development” in a prominent town centre location.

However, the deterioration of the site resulted in the local authority deciding to demolish the former pub.

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On the building, a council spokesperson previously said: “The building fabric of the Cross Keys Inn has deteriorated to an extent that has required monitoring by structural engineers.

“This monitoring has continued as the condition deteriorated further. It has now been concluded that the most appropriate course of action is to demolish the building before further deterioration makes the building unsafe.

“The capital investment that would be required to repair and restore this building to a habitable condition due to the structural condition of the building prevents this from being a viable option.”

According to council papers, the total project cost for works needed to save the building would be approximately £459,000.