THE council is considering plans to turn a vacant High Street site in Peeblesshire into a pie bakery.

The proposed development would offer a service not currently available in Innerleithen and would encourage daytime visitors to the town, according to a supporting statement.

Three part-time roles would be created over the first six months, with employees coming from the local community “where possible”.

The artisan bakery would produce a selection of individual meat, vegetarian and vegan pies.

According to the report, other than a brief period in 2020, the site has been unoccupied for more than 18 years.

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It adds: “The property was on the open market to rent or buy from March 2021 until November 2021. Unfortunately, no tenant or buyer transpired. The site is one of four presently unoccupied retail properties on Innerleithen High Street.

“The proposed development would make a positive contribution to Innerleithen High Street and the town. In providing a quality takeaway and retail food offering the proposed business would generate additional footfall in the main retail zone of Innerleithen.

“The proposal offers an opportunity for the regeneration of a prominent property on Innerleithen High Street which has been vacant for almost 20 years. In redeveloping the property, it is hoped that others may be encouraged to invest in the retail offering on Innerleithen High Street.”