Community to consider a rescue package for Peebles mill

Peebles Community Council this week said it was “deeply concerned” at the decision by the bosses of clothweavers Robert Noble to shut down the March Street business with the loss of all 87 jobs.

And it promised to explore the possibility of taking on the property and the former Halyrude School site for economic development use.

The community council will also consider going into a joint venture with Scottish Enterprise which has expressed an interest in taking over the site of the 350-year-old mill.

The community council’s planning chairman Crick Carleton said the loss of the mill was “very disappointing and a major economic setback for Peebles”.

He added: “The community council remains deeply concerned with the evident imbalance between economic development land allocations and housing allocations. The town cannot afford to lose 87 local jobs, and cannot afford to lose this important site to possible development as housing.

“A similar development situation applies in respect of the former Halyrude School site – which it should be noted is in the ownership of the Council.

“This is currently advertised for sale. It is argued that this site should also be retained for economic development use.

“In the context of a government policy that supports the taking of these types of property into community ownership for the benefit of the town, should the community seek to explore possible acquisition of one or both of these properties – or indeed enter into joint venture with Scottish Enterprise or another suitable public agency?” He hinted at another possible use of the mill when he said: “In a separate but as yet unrelated news item R & B Distillers is exploring a possible development location for a new whisky distillery – with Peebles as a possible option.” The Peeblesshire News contacted Scottish Enterprise for a response but they had not returned our calls at the time of going to press.