Community seeks to save company

The glass company was a major tourist attraction in the area

Selkirk Community Council has issued a plea to local agencies to try to help secure a future for a local glass firm.

Selkirk Glass went into administration last week putting 34 jobs at risk.

The community council has written to the local authority as well as enterprise and tourism chiefs to seek help to save the site.

It said the business was a "gateway" to the town and everything must be done to try to find a buyer for the major tourist attraction in the area.

Community council chairman Kenneth Gunn hoped that at least the sales area and coffee shop could be retained.

He suggested that a community buyout should even be considered if a buyer could not be found.

'Major disaster'

"Selkirk Glass was a big player in the tourist industry and had a Tourist Board information desk located in the premises," he said.

"It is a disaster, of course, for the people who have worked there.

"But it is also a major disaster for Selkirk and the Scottish Borders that such a successful attraction has been the victim of failures elsewhere."

It is hoped a meeting can be arranged shortly with all the major agencies and representatives of the local chamber of trade.

Administrator Deloitte is reviewing the financial situation at Selkirk Glass in order to seek a buyer.

Its parent company Edinburgh Crystal and sister firm Caithness Glass had previously gone into administration.