Agricultural store in Selkirk set to close

Selkirk is set to lose another business on the entrance to the town as agricultural and equine supplier Carrs Billington is to close its doors.
Selkirk councillor Caroline Cochrane at Carrs Billington in the town's Dunsdale Haugh.Selkirk councillor Caroline Cochrane at Carrs Billington in the town's Dunsdale Haugh.
Selkirk councillor Caroline Cochrane at Carrs Billington in the town's Dunsdale Haugh.

Its imminent shutdown follows the closures of the Leading Labels shop and the Leven Car Company’s Suzuki showroom and garage, both also in Dunsdale Haugh area.

Added to that, there is also ongoing uncertainty over almost 400 jobs at Ovo Energy, previously known as Spark Energy, after it announced in May that it is closing its office in the nearby Ettrick Riverside building in the town’s Dunsdale Road.

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In a letter to customers, Carrs Billington commercial manager Mark Tasker Wood said the company was “currently undergoing an extensive change programme” and said it was proposing to “close a number of retail sites and operate in a different manner”.

Councillor Elaine Thornton Nicol.Councillor Elaine Thornton Nicol.
Councillor Elaine Thornton Nicol.

He added: “Selkirk has been identified as one of the sites where a physical retail location does not have a viable future and therefore the decision has been made to close it on 10th July 2020.”

He went on to add that the company’s store in Jedburgh will remain open, and that it is offering a next-day delivery service.

The Southern understands that five people are employed at the Selkirk store facing the axe.

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Selkirkshire councillor Caroline Cochrane told us: “This is another devastating blow for the town, as well as the farming community it serves.

“My thoughts are with the employees.

“We now have three large empty units on the entrance to the town.

“Hopefully, something can be done to make these units attractive for new business opportunities.

“However, it is my fear that it is going to take some time for the whole of the Scottish Borders to recover from the economic effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on the area.”

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Her colleague Elaine Thornton-Nicol added: “It’s very disappointing.

“It will have a big impact on the lives of the people who work there.

“Having been through the redundancy process personally, I know how devastating it can be.

“I hope that South of Scotland Enterprise and Partnership Action for Continuing Employment teams will be in place to help support those affected.”

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Selkirk Community Council chairman Alistair Pattullo described the impending closure as a “dismal piece of news”, adding: “The loss of three businesses from the entrance to the town is not going to help recovery at all.

“It’s hard to imagine what kind of retailer could even fill those units.

“Coming on top of Spark Energy pulling the plug, this is another blow to the town.”

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