For-sale village pub attracted no viewings despite price reduction

A village pub and restaurant put up for sale in the Scottish Borders received no viewings despite a "sizeable price reduction".

The Smiddy in Ashkirk - between Hawick and Selkirk - was put up for sale, along with the attached family home, in 2023 due to the downturn in the sector and the owners aiming to retire.

The price was dropped from £549,950 to £500,000 but that produced only "limited interest" and no viewings at all.

Now plans have been lodged to convert the restaurant and pub part of the property into a two-bedroom home.

The building sits just off the A7 tourist route between Edinburgh and Carlisle.

It was originally the village blacksmiths - dating back to the 1800s - with an extension added in the 1990s to create the pub.

It was bought by the current owners in 2005 and run as a family business since then.

However, they now wish to retire from the trade but have been unable to find a buyer for the restaurant.

A supporting statement for the plans to convert the building into accommodation argued there was no prospect of it continuing to be run as a business.

"It is clear that our clients have actively attempted all avenues for the property to be sold as a going concern, unfortunately there is no appetite for purchase," it said.

"The proposed change of use is aimed at creating a simple and sympathetic conversion, retaining the main fabric and also reintroducing a number of original features such as timber roof beams."

The number of parking spaces would also be reduced from four to two if the plans were approved.