SCOTTISH Enterprise may be interested in taking over the site of a Peebles textile mill after it was announced that the business will close by the end of this year with the loss of all 87 jobs.

Clothweaving firm Robert Noble, based at March Street Mills, which can trace its history back 350 years, confirmed that the first wave of staff were due to be paid off this week after its parent company failed to find a buyer.

Tweeddale MSP Christine Grahame revealed that Scotland’s main economic, enterprise, innovation and investment agency may be planning to create new offices on the site which could help sustain jobs in the area.

And she has contacted party colleague John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, to find out what the Scottish Government can do to help.

Ms Grahame said: “My understanding is if they had sufficient contracts the business would have been kept going.” But she added: “I was told that Scottish Enterprise was interested in the site and there being some kind of offices.” Sustained losses were blamed on the seasonal and volatile nature of the textile sector along with changes in global demand for products manufactured at the site, ranging from traditional regimental kilts to modern upholstery fabrics for aircraft.

But it is still hoped that jobs for seven of the mill workers can be found at the firm’s parent company, Moorbrook Textiles of Ayr.