Melrose steading eyed for retreats
Plans for a new “peace and tranquillity” events venue at a farm steading in Melrose have been submitted to Scottish Borders Council.
Applicant William Younger hopes that the change of use of the Old Melrose Dairy at Ravenswood will generate income of up to £50,000 a year.
The event space would utilise existing toilet and kitchen facilities and be used for corporate and private gatherings including corporate well-being events, nature-based day retreats, yoga classes and other community activities.
The Old Melrose Dairy is traditional farm steading located on a 200 acre, conservation focused, mixed farm consisting of woodlands, river frontage, grassland and arable fields.
The building is currently used as a carpentry workshop, furniture show room and tearooms with part used for ancillary storage.
Visitors are able to browse in the retail elements, have a coffee or meal in the tearooms and then have a walk on one of the estate’s signed walks.
In a report in support of the application, Mr Younger states: “This combination of attractions has proved popular over the last 15 years.
“This diversification has successfully created employment and a destination for the local community to visit.
“The estate has tried to build on the success of the existing enterprise by holding a few events such as three mindfulness in Nature Days, estate heritage walks, school visits and estate nature walks.
“These events have proved popular, but it has become apparent that to operate events effectively all year round a space under cover is needed where attendees can shelter in case of inclement weather.
“The business plan is structured around building on the success of the various outdoor events held so far through the opening of a small event space within the existing building.
“It is hoped to build a business that will hold between 20 and 30 events a year which will generate around £40,000 to £50,000 of revenue per year.
“Operating costs are estimated to be around £20,000 per year. The project will not only generate a profit for the estate but will also help ensure the sustainability of the existing tearooms as well as providing events that benefit the local community.
“These events will be linked into the peace and tranquillity of the surrounding estate and build on the estate’s branding which is based on conservation, well being, nature immersive activities and nature-based education.”