VISITORS to Peebles already have a wide array of options to choose from when looking for somewhere to eat or drink.

But a local coffee shop owner is pressing ahead undaunted with her plans to open a new restaurant and cafe in High Street.

Renovation work has been underway for three months to set up the venture in the premises once occupied by The Keg Bar.

The Mercat View Coffee Lounge and Restaurant - named after the nearby Mercat Cross - is expected to be ready to begin trading by the end of the month.

Just a short walk away in Northgate a new pub - J D Wetherspoon - is planning to pull its first pints on July 22.

But Susan MacLeod, who has run the Scots Pine tearooms in Eddleston for six years, has no doubts that her restaurant and coffee lounge will prove to be a success.

“I’ve had a lot of people asking me about when I’m going to open and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback,” she said.

“I’m confident that what we have to offer will bring people in - and it’s in a great location. I can’t wait to get started,” she said.

“The premises have been completely renovated. We’ve had local people working on it for us and they’ve done well to get it all done so quickly. I don’t have a set opening date yet but I am hopeful it will be before the month.

“It’s going to be a different type of place for people to come and relax and I’m sure that they will be impressed by the views from the building.

“Yes, it’s true we will be opening at around the same time as Wetherspoon but that will be a different type of place to ours.

“More and more people are coming to visit Peebles and I am sure there is room for another place such as this.

“I’m not sure about exact numbers yet but I expect to be employing around seven or eight staff at any one time.

“We will offer different menus during the day and at night and we will be licensed, allowing customers to have a drink with their meal.”