A COUPLE aim to deliver a tourism boost at a derelict post office within an historic old prisoner of war camp site in the Borders.

Having started to restore Hawick’s derelict Barnes farmhouse, Rory and Sandra Campbell now propose to provide short-term self-catering holiday accommodation for tourists by renovating and converting the ‘Old Post Office’ at Stobs Camp, a PoW camp during the First World War.

As the building has historical interest it is proposed that the renovations will reuse much of the existing corrugated iron sheeting. Additional sheeting will be sourced and taken from existing derelict buildings.

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The plan is for a stand-alone holiday home, with the target market being groups and families who enjoy walking, cycling and researching history.

A report submitted with the application said: “The property will also appeal to  railway enthusiasts as Stobs Camp sits close to the Waverley Line with much of the infrastructure still evident.

“Rory and Sandra Campbell are currently renovating Barnes House which they will live in and, if planning permission is attained, they plan to have a two-bedroom holiday let on the footprint of the old post office building.”