Changes at the Chambers Institution
Wednesday, January 27 2010
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is revitalising the Chambers Institution Trust alongside its plans to invest in the Chambers Institution on Peebles High Street.
Over the coming months, a joint contact centre on Peebles High Street will be established – providing a one-stop-shop for both Council services and the visitor information centre. The contact centre is part of a package of investments that will see disabled access improvements to the library and the museum and the refurbishment of accommodation at the rear of the building.
Councillor Michael Cook, Executive Member for Corporate Improvement, said: “The building has a unique history, originally gifted to the people of Peeblesshire by William Chambers in 1859 and then extended using a gift of £10,000 from Doctor Andrew Carnegie in 1910/11.
“These gifts were subject to various conditions, to ensure that the building continues to play an important role in the local community. Quite rightly, they raise a number of important considerations for both the Council and, in particular, the Chambers Institution Trust in managing the premises to ensure that they are fulfilling the associated obligations.
“They also bring challenges including the upkeep of an A-Listed historic building, while providing a range of modern and accessible services within strict legal parameters. It is, therefore, prudent to complete the revitalisation of the trust sooner rather than later – and before building works start. This will mean that the building works will now be completed over the summer with the contact centre continuing to operate from its temporary location in Rosetta Road until late summer.”
Recommendations are expected to be brought forward shortly for the Trustees to comprise of the six Tweeddale councillors who represent the community that the Trust was intended to benefit and who are currently operating in an interim capacity.
It is anticipated that the process of revitalising the Trust will be completed over the coming months. Services will continue to operate as normal in the meantime – with the council contact Centre already operating from Rosetta Road.
By reviving the Trust before any work is carried out, the Council is ensuring that all the work planned for the building is done under the watchful eye of the Trust to safeguard the original purpose of the building and its benefit for the community in accordance with the benefactors' original wishes.
Details of interim arrangements for services, including dates and locations, will be published before building works start. Updates will be provided on a regular basis.
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