IT was once a venue for weddings and it is still the focal point for the discussion of important community issues.

But the Village Centre in West Linton is facing an uncertain future with speculation that it is about to be offloaded by Scottish Borders Council.

Rumours of an impending sale were revealed during a meeting of the village’s community council held in the building on Monday.

SBC insist a disposal of the premises is not offing. “There are no plans to sell the building,” said a spokesman.

But community council chairman Eric Small said: “Somebody has told the Historical Society that this is going to happen. They are moving all of the registrar’s stuff out of the office.

“I know the Historical Society is keen to get ahead of the game and try to buy the building if this is going to happen.” The room at the back of the building was used as an office for the registration of births, deaths and marriages until being relocated to Peebles several years ago.

The main part of the premises in Raemartin Square is primarily used for meetings and other functions. Historical books, including the Book of Remembrance for Tweeddale, are kept there.

Tweeddale West councillor Willie Archibald told the meeting he was not aware of any plans for SBC to sell the building.

“It would be sad to see it go,” he said. “This building has a long history. They had district and parish council meetings here and the Register Office is still here.

“There is no other place like this in West Linton and it’s in the heart of the village.” Mr Small later told the Peeblesshire News: “It’s a shame that this might be happening. Wee villages like ours are losing their identity.

“There was a time when the Register Office was used regularly and they used to have weddings here until a few years ago.

“If you want to register a birth or a death or get married in a Register Office the nearest place for us now is Peebles.”