Joint review of sport, leisure and cultural services

Teviot and Liddesdale - facility change proposals

Detailed below are the property change proposals in Berwickshire put forward by the independent consultants in April 2025 following their review and the joint recommendations we have developed with Live Borders following community and stakeholder consultation and engagement.

A special meeting of Council will consider the recommendations on Thursday 20 November.

Further details on the options appraisal scoring and rationale can be found in Appendix 3 for the Council meeting.

Hawick

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Recommendation to be considered by Council
Teviotdale Leisure Centre Consultants' Proposal: Retain and implement a phased redevelopment strategy

Retain Teviotdale Leisure Centre and undertake property feasibility works to identify opportunities to maximise usage and income generation and associated investment requirements. Significantly reduced investment compared to Integratis recommendation, recognising lifespan of the building.

Hawick Library Consultants' Proposal: Consolidate with Teviotdale Leisure Centre ensuring digital and mobile library enhancements

Retain Hawick Library and explore opportunities to maximise service improvements, increase usage and income.

Hawick Town Hall Consultants' Proposal: Retain and review programming and pricing models while considering community asset transfer

N/A - no change to the current arrangements were considered.

Borders Textile Towerhouse Consultants' Proposal: Close and proceed with consolidation while preserving key exhibitions and collections; consider consolidation into Heart of Hawick

Retain Borders Textile Towerhouse and explore opportunities to maximise usage and service improvements.

Heritage Hub Consultants' Proposal: Merge all archive functions at St Mary’s Mill in Selkirk and repurpose the building for business use; secure necessary capital investment

Retain the Heritage Hub and explore opportunities to maximise usage, income and service improvements.

Heart of Hawick Consultants' Proposal: Integrate Textile Tower House while repurposing existing office space.

Retain Heart of Hawick and explore opportunities to maximise usage, income and service improvements.

Wilton Primary Swimming Pool Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure while ensuring a seamless transition of swimming provision to Teviotdale Leisure Centre

N/A - this facility is used by service users with specific needs and no proposal can be considered until suitable alternative provision are available.

At this time there is no intention to consider any changes and therefore no consultation took place on this facility.

Newcastleton

Service/Property Proposals within Integratis report Recommendation to be considered by Council
Newcastleton No. 8 Club Consultants' Proposal: Proceed with closure or Community Asset Transfer, ensuring a community-led transition

Retain the No8 Club and introduce a new management/operating model to maximise usage and income generation with a view to a full community asset transfer being completed by 31 March 2029 subject to a robust and sustainable business case being presented.