A £50K-PLUS plan to transform a Scottish church into a community hub has been unveiled.
The Borders-based Selkirk and Ashkirk Parish Church redevelopment project aims to turn the historic B-listed building into a modern, welcoming, and sustainable facility.
Phase one focuses on upgrading the kitchen and food storage areas to commercial standards, enabling the church project to expand its community provision.
READ MORE: NC500 visitors face new levy as Highland Council proposes tourist tax
This phase will improve the catering facilities for external groups, ensuring a more versatile and accessible space that meets modern hygiene and safety requirements.
The redevelopment aligns with the church’s mission to support the community through practical service, providing a vital resource for various local activities and events.
The long-term vision includes creating a multi-functional venue with a 250-seat auditorium, breakout rooms, and professional catering facilities, attracting larger events to Selkirk.
READ MORE: Consultation launched for Scotland's new National Park
By enhancing community access and improving energy efficiency, the project also aims to boost footfall on the High Street. In 2012, the church installed 40 solar panels on the roof to generate clean electricity.
When members of Scottish Borders Council’s Eildon Area Partnership meet on Thursday, November 14, they will consider a request for £10,000 towards the initial £51,629 cost.
A report with the funding bid states: “With significant community input and financial contributions from the church, this project demonstrates a collaborative effort to provide a lasting, positive impact on the local area.”
The project has also applied for £15k from National Churches Trust and is about to apply for £8.6k from the Listed Places of Worship Fund.
Additionally, £14k will come from the church’s ring-fenced reserves.
A funding panel report to be presented to partnership members recommends granting £8000 towards the cost of the project.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here