INNERLEITHEN Memorial Hall will soon be a sea of blue with the replacement of the 50-year-old auditorium seating.

The new seating comes thanks to a £5,000 grant awarded by Scottish Borders Council.

The project is part of a wider programme of improvements being undertaken by a dynamic partnership between Live Borders, Scottish Borders Council, Innerleithen Community Trust, and the Memorial Hall Support Group.

The town’s Memorial Hall is the largest auditorium in Tweeddale and is used by a wide variety of organisations and businesses for a range of different purposes, including theatrical performances, concerts, community functions, meetings, weddings, and funerals.

A user group was introduced last year which has overseen the redecoration of the main hall, refurbished wooden floor, and improvements to kitchen facilities.

With a fresh new look, it has been reported that the income generated from the Memorial Hall has boosted significantly.

Chair of the Innerleithen Memorial Hall Support Group, Keith Belleville, told the Peeblesshire News: “We are delighted that Scottish Borders Council has awarded over £5,000 to help purchase new seating for the Memorial Hall.

"The auditorium seating is almost 50 years old and has passed its best, so we identified replacement as a priority.

“The new seating will be foldable, easily stored and moved around on special trolleys. They will have a comfortable padded seat and back and fit in with the Hall’s new blue colour scheme.”

In consultation with users of the Memorial Hall, the group has identified a further list of improvements that they hope to deliver in the months ahead.

A dedicated Facebook page is now up and running to promote events with detailed information about the facilities.