A FAMILY firm founded in Peebles 36 years ago has been taken over.

Robert Miller opened his first retail agricultural merchants on Glasgow Road back in 1978 based on 20-years experience in the trade.

The business prospered with branches at Hawick and the equine specialists at Fordel, near Dalkeith which included a 24-hour service station, and on the 25th anniversary in 2003 it was rebranded Millers Town & Country.

A flagship Peebles store was created in a brand new purpose built warehouse on the South Park Industrial estate and in 2010 a new website was added.

But now it is all change for store staff as national agricultural feed manufacturers and multiple retailers Harbro continued its expansion across Scotland.

Harbro’s nationwide deputy store manager Simon Dodds claimed that there would not be any job losses at the revamped business.

New signage has been hastily erected on Millers warehouse hoardings and the only link to the past are some company vans still displaying the old logos.

Harbro already operates stores in Duns and Earlston giving it complete geographical coverage in the Borders.

“This is another exciting move for Harbro adding three retailers and strengthening our retail division,” said Harbro managing director Graham Baxter.

“It will further complement our feed business in the Borders, allowing us to offer animal health advice and products, clothing and equipment to our growing customer base.

“These stores have a strong presence built on the pet and equine markets and we look forward to growing the business which will give increased buying strength and allow us to be more competitive.” The acquisition brings Harbro’s retail empire, stretching from Lerwick, Shetland to Dumfries in the south-west up to 18 outlets. It is a stronger outfit as Harbro is a major investor in agricultural nutrition and opened a £6million new mill at Birkhill, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire in 2007.

“For livestock customers, our mill at Birkhill, is close to the Borders, with the benefits of reduced transport costs and the delivery of compounds, blends, feed buckets, mineral licks and feed blocks straight from the point of manufacture” added Mr Baxter.

Harbro’s focus lies with innovative, performance-led nutrition and the company is renowned for its on-farm nutritional services and technical support. Harbro is involved in research, with the leading UK institutes and on farm, aiding the development of new products. Products are manufactured using Scottish quality raw materials and are designed to maximise the animal’s health and performance.