Scott's Place toilets

Following contact from Scottish Borders Council (SBC) with community-based organisations in Selkirk, The General Store approached SBC with a proposal to purchase the toilet block and use it as a re-use hub. SBC has no plans to re-open the toilets.

The ‘wee’ re-use hub aims to prevent items such as bric-a-brac, hardware, and textiles from ending up as waste and going to landfill. It is anticipated that items will be available by donation or free if needed, building on the regular rummage sales that The General Store holds.

Before selling the building, we sought the views of the local community. Comments could be made by completing an online form, emailing comments to communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk, or posting comments to the SBC Communities and Partnerships Team. Comments would be shared with the team at The General Store and published on this website. No personal information would be shared.

This consultation had four questions.

We received 24 responses to the consultation. Here is a summary of the feedback:

• A majority of respondents (66.67%) agreed with the proposal to sell the former public toilets to The General Store. 
• Some respondents expressed concerns about the lack of public toilets in the area and the financial sustainability of the reuse hub. 
• Many respondents praised the idea of repurposing the building and appreciated The General Store's efforts in the community. 
• A few respondents suggested alternative uses for the building, such as a tourist information hub or additional parking spaces. 

Based on the feedback received, we are currently discussing the project viability, business case, and other considerations with officers regarding the potential sale of the public toilets to The General Store. We are committed to ensuring that the final decision takes into account both the aims of The General Store and the community's views. We will continue to keep the community informed about the progress of this project and any further developments.