Councillor defends his purchase of Jedburgh's Carnegie library

A Borders councillor has responded to criticism over his purchase of a historic building in Jedburgh.

John Bathgate bought the 125-year-old former Carnegie Library from Scottish Borders Council on the open market.

Community group Jedburgh Carnegie Library had hoped to take over the property and said it was "beyond disappointed" it was sold to a private investor.

Mr Bathgate said he planned to reopen the library for the community and make it "financially viable" by turning the upstairs into a holiday let with a theme inspired by Scots philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

The library, which was originally paid for by Carnegie, was closed in 2019.

Scottish Borders Council held talks with community groups before placing the B-listed building on the open market.

The sale attracted wider interest and Jedburgh Carnegie Building group was formed.

It gathered support to its plans to create an arts and music venue and developed a business case over the summer and autumn.

The group presented Scottish Borders Council with a 1,000-signature petition calling for some form of asset transfer to be considered. Local councillors have been criticised for not backing this suggestion.

Mr Bathgate said he followed proper procedures and did not lobby other councillors.

He said: "When the building went on the market I approached the legal team at Scottish Borders Council and asked if it was possible to put in a bid - they said 'yes' as I am a citizen as well as a councillor.

"All procedures have been followed properly - if the future of the library ever came up on an agenda I would leave the meeting and not take part in any discussions.

"And I certainly never lobbied other councillors or anything like that."

Mr Bathgate added: "My aim is to reopen the library - a community library - so the building can be returned to its intended use, and to make it financially viable I want to turn the upstairs into a Carnegie-themed holiday let."

Jedburgh Carnegie Library said it believed it had the support of most people in the town, and had also presented a "strong and sustainable" business case.

The group's Dean Freeman said: "We are beyond disappointed by this decision and for Scottish Borders Council to sell to a private investor is nothing but an insult to the people of Jedburgh.

"Well over 1,000 people signed our petition explicitly stating they didn't want this to happen."

Mr Freeman accused the local authority of ignoring the group's efforts over the last six months to take over the building.

Scottish Borders Council agreed the sale of the building during private business at the end of its executive meeting on Tuesday.

Depute leader Scott Hamilton said: "The business case from the community group was independently assessed, and found not to be robust enough for the council to proceed with that option.

"Throughout the process our legal team has been consulted at every step.

"The former Carngie Library has been a derelict building for a number of years - and serving no purpose or community benefit - so bringing it back to being occupied and supporting the building's heritage has to be welcomed."

Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie visited Jedburgh in May 1900 to officially open the building.

The Sir George Washington Browne-designed library features a striking Let There Be Light stone plaque above the doorway and could hold up to 12,000 books.

It served the Jedburgh community up to its closure, with a new library located within the town's school campus.