NINE jobs face the axe at a vital but cash-strapped community resource in a Borders town after the closure of its café was confirmed.

Burnfoot Community Hub is at the heart of the area it serves.

The hub provides a café and soft-play, a community garden, a food share facility and a function room.

It also stages cooking workshops, kids’ parties, community events and much more.

But escalating utility bills led to the centre’s closure last month as the result of significant financial pressures.

The hub has since reopened as talks between Burnfoot Community Futures (BCF), the charity which owns and manages the building, South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Scottish Borders Council continue in a bid to find a positive resolution to the crisis.

Sadly, it has now been announced that the café within the facility is to close permanently.

The directors of BCF have issued an update on the current situation.

It reads: “As many people will be aware, the café within Burnfoot Hub has been closed for the past week.

“The board felt compelled to take this action in light of losses becoming evident and the impact of burgeoning utility costs.

“The other services to the Burnfoot community which are delivered from the hub, such as the food share, are continuing as normal.

“The directors, who are all unpaid volunteers, have been working as hard as they can, alongside partner organisations and funders, to resolve the current problems and to secure the continuing operation of the Burnfoot Hub into the future.

“It is with huge regret that the board confirms that the Hub Café will not re-open. Accordingly, the board’s energies are focussed on meeting the café staff and ensuring their rights and entitlements are honoured. To protect their privacy, no further public statements are planned in this regard.

“Skills Development Scotland’s PACE response is currently in place to support the nine affected staff, while Scottish Borders Council, South of Scotland Enterprise and Development Trust Association Scotland continue to provide advice and guidance.

“Once there is progress to report in relation to the overall future of the Burnfoot Hub, the staff, Burnfoot community and the general public will be made aware. The directors are grateful for the messages of support received from the community.”