Scottish Borders Brewery’s new £500,000 Born in the Borders visitor centre is on schedule for a summer launch and the creation of 10 jobs.
The development will create a one-stop-shop for the very best of Scottish Borders produce and takes the brewery’s provenance story - of fine ale production from plough through to pint – to the next level.
Featuring a food and drink shop, goods and gift shop, a 40-seat cafe, brewery tours, outdoor walks and picnic area, the centre will showcase the finest local products in a countryside setting.
Ten new jobs are being created at Born in the Borders, including the appointment of experienced retail professional Nicola Duffy, formerly of Baxters, who has taken on the role of visitor centre manager.
Nicola has more than 10 years’ experience in running leisure retail operations, having managed Baxters’ stores in Ocean Terminal, Blackford, Kelty and Selkirk.
Nicola said: “Born in the Borders is a really exciting and ambitious project and it is a privilege to be in at the start helping to shape its development.
“There is nothing quite like this in the Borders at the moment and we hope it can become the perfect place for visitors to the region to discover the wealth of fabulous produce that originates here and somewhere that local people will love.”
John Henderson, owner of Scottish Borders Brewery added: “Nicola is a great first hire for our Born in the Borders team and we are now recruiting more staff to help run the centre.
“We are looking for people who are proud of the Scottish Borders and who would like to play a part in sharing this region with others.
“They need to be hard working and willing to take on whatever jobs need to be done, from serving in the cafe to hosting a brewery tour or working in one of the shops.”
The visitor centre is being built at Lanton Mill Farm, the home of the Scottish Borders Brewery, located on the road between Jedburgh and Hawick.
The new shops and café are being created by sympathetically restoring and renovating the old farm steading and dairy buildings.
The centre will have free parking and space for special events to be held.