BORDERS job losses are expected following news that Travis Perkins is closing sites across the UK.

The builders’ merchants, which has three branches in the Borders, plans to shut 165 stores - affecting 2,500 jobs.

This newspaper has seen an email from Travis Perkins stating that the Peebles branch “will not be reopening”.

Travis Perkins’ media office has been contacted for comment about the sites in Peebles, Kelso and St Boswells.

The company’s chief executive Nick Roberts said: “Whilst we have experienced improving trends more recently, we do not expect a return to pre-Covid trading conditions for some time and consequently we have had to take the very difficult decision to begin consultations on the closure of selected branches and to reduce our workforce to ensure we can protect the Group as a whole.

“This is in no way a reflection on those employees impacted and we will do everything we can to support them during this process.”

He added: “While there has been a significant recovery in trading volumes in recent weeks, it is evident that the UK is facing a recession and this will have a corresponding impact on the demand for building materials during 2020 and 2021.”

The redundancies make up about nine per cent of the total workforce, the company said.

Former Peebles branch manager Kevin Smith told us that the Dovecot Road site has traditionally made “a hell of a profit”.

He said a previous managing director for the company described the branch as a “hidden gem”.

Mr Smith said: “I am shocked and saddened that this branch is closing.

“It has always been a profitable wee branch. Sadly I think that the company is using the pandemic as an excuse to close it down.”

Peebles branch manager Alistair Leitch has been approached for comment.