SCOTTISH Borders Council has confirmed it will retain Peebles Community Centre as a “back-up” once pupils return to Peebles High School.

Following the fire at the secondary school at the end of November, the local authority took quick action to put in place face to face teaching from various locations in Peebles and Galashiels Academy.

All of the local halls which were taken over by Scottish Borders Council will be released when schooling returns at the Springwood Road site in February, apart from the Drill Hall which will be retained for a short period whilst the school and its pupils 'navigate the new learning arrangements'.

At Peebles Community Council’s meeting last week, acting chairman, Lawrie Hayworth, said the community were very impressed with the actions of education officers and the broader council team.

He added: “There is a recognition that the temporary situation is going to be on place for a long time before a long term solution is available at Peebles High School. I get a sense that the feasibility brief has been very broad that there’s no particular options that have been ruled out.

“Any work going forward will incorporate flexibility so there would be opportunities to increase capacity and other elements of community need such as health and social care. It is all very positive.”

Mr Hayworth asked the council officers if they planned to retain any of the community facilities once the pupils return to school.

Chief Executive Tracey Logan replied: “We will retain the Drill Hall in terms of a back up and we will release that as soon as we possibly can, but we would like to have this as a safety net for the first few weeks.

“We are only requiring eight temporary classrooms so it’s not a huge amount because there is capacity to use the building differently. We decided on the Drill Hall mainly because of its capacity and the fact that we felt it was least disruptive and would not displace as many community groups.

“We will use the Gytes as a sports centre, but again we don’t anticipate that having any great impact on the community.”

Mr Hayworth said: “I’m sure that those groups who used the Drill Hall will manage for another month into the end of February."

Council bosses said the local authority has offered alternative spaces for user groups.