A UK pub chain renowned for its cut-price drinks and food has opened for business in Peebles.

JD Wetherspoon has created 55 jobs for the venture and spent £2.2 million re-developing the historic site of the Cross Keys Inn in Northgate.

The new pub and hotel is retaining the name of The Cross Keys, the oldest inn in Peebles.

Wetherspoon, which has almost 900 pubs in its portfolio, has commissioned work from local artists Moy Mackay and Scott Rae to decorate the 17th century buildings.

Artwork by pupils from Kingsland Primary School is on display along with photographs and information boards relating to events, history and character of the area.

Manager Craig Henrys said: “Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and we are confident that it will be a great addition to the Peebles community.” Trading hours are 7am until 12 midnight Sunday to Thursday and 7am until 1am on Friday and Saturday. Food will be served throughout the day until 11pm.

The Cross Keys isl specialising in real ales, serving a wide range of beers, including those from local and regional brewers.

Children, accompanied by an adult, are welcome in the pub until 8pm throughout the week. As a condition of the licence, both the adult and child (babies and toddlers excepted) must order a meal, if the adult wishes to consume alcohol.

The pub is wheelchair-accessible and has a specially-adapted toilet for people with disabilities.

The new-look pub and hotel is set on three floors, with one ground floor bar, as well as a Victorian Garden Room on the first floor.

The hotel, which is on the first and second floors, has seven bedrooms, including one disabled, four twin and two double rooms, all retaining the 17th century windows. They all feature en-suite bathroom, tea- and coffee-making facilities, hair dryer, Freeview TV and free wi-fi.

The building is a category B listed town house and was originally the home of the Williamsons of Cardrona. The triangular plaque above the “modern pedimented porch” bears the date 1693. Northgate was for centuries the main route north out of Peebles and in 1867, the L-shaped, three-storey building, was described as the Cross Keys Inn, “approached from the Northgate through an arch into a courtyard”.

The Cross Keys has been opened and closed many times over the years and was bought by Wetherspoon back in 2011. Scottish Borders Council gave its approval to refurbish the building in January 2012 despite concerns that included increased traffic, noise pollution and litter.