THE “tricky” demolition of a C-listed building in a Borders town centre has been completed.

The Jedburgh structure, on the corner of High Street and Exchange Street, has been covered in scaffolding since 2015 over safety concerns.

Demolition efforts at the site began in December 2021.

But unexpected additional works saw costs spiral by £100,000 and original targets for completion missed.

Now that the building has been demolished progress can be made on the construction of a replacement structure.

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton, executive member for community & business, said: “There can be no denying that this particular project to demolish the original building standing at 2 High Street Jedburgh has been tricky from the outset.

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“The council took control of the building through a compulsory purchase order and had no other option but to demolish the building given its state of disrepair.

“I am extremely pleased to see that the demolition phase has been completed and the focus can now turn to the construction of the new building taking its place offering vibrant commercial spaces and much-needed local housing.”

A planning application for the replacement building was submitted in 2022.

It will contain commercial space on the ground floor and affordable flats on the upper levels.

Commencement of the construction of the new building is anticipated to start in early 2024 once a procurement process has been undertaken to identify a contractor for the project.