Wednesday September 30th 2026
Chambers Institution
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A £4.6m facelift on a landmark building with immense historical significance at the heart of Peebles is “absolutely on track”, councillors were informed this week.
The 18-month refurbishment of the Chambers Institution in Peebles started in the spring with services and facilities, including the library, museum and Citizens Advice Bureau, temporarily relocated as works are ongoing.
At a meeting of the Chambers Institution Trust this week its chair, Peebles councillor Robin Tatler, provided an update on its progress.
He said: “Quite simply it is absolutely on track. Planning issues are all passed and the project team are now looking at the tendering process, the main contractor will be appointed very shortly and the decant of organisations has happened, which seems to be working well.
“Live Borders are now providing the mobile library, although there have been some technical issues which will hopefully be resolved and the Contact Centre is now at Rosetta.
“There is some enabling works that are going to be done by SBc Contracts, which are going to begin on October 5th.
“Effectively everything is on track with the building work to be completed by the end of 2027 and to be back in and fully recanted, with all the museum, the library and Citizens Advice Bureau back in about March ’28.”
Members also gave the go-ahead for more than £300 of spending on signage for Go Tweed Valley, which have been decanted from the High Street to the foot of Old School Brae.
The major refurbishment of Chambers Institution will secure its future as a vibrant cultural and heritage hub for Tweeddale and will include improvements to accessibility, reorganisation of space to increase usage and a new glazed frontage and entrance on to the High Street.
Funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and supported by Scottish Borders Council, the project will improve accessibility, co-locate key services and enhance opportunities for residents and visitors.
The Chambers Institution is a Category A listed building, originally gifted to the town by William Chambers in 1859.
The refurbishment will honour its historical significance while creating a modern, accessible space for future generations.
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