A SUPERMARKET switch is on the agenda in Selkirk.

The Co-op is set to move from its current site at 70 High Street into a new store on what was a Sainsbury’s outlet at 115-117 High Street.

No date has yet been set for the relocation, but staff from the existing Co-op will make the switch.

When members of Scottish Borders Council’s Licensing Board meet on Friday (January 26) they will be asked to agree a provisional premises licence for the new outlet.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “Co-op is committed to serving and supporting the community, and playing a role at the heart of local community life – the new store will enable Co-op to better serve and support its member-owners and customers in the community

“Colleagues, who have been informed, will transfer from the existing store, which will remain open until the new store launches.

“Co-op will fit out and, move into the new site after the developer has redeveloped the store. It is too early to confirm when the new store will open.”

In February 2022, Scottish Borders Council received a planning application from Manchester-based DTM Investments Ltd to relocate to the former Sainsbury's site.

A report submitted with the application, on behalf of the Co-op Food Group, said the company’s existing town store was “not fit for purpose”.

It added: “The existing Sainsbury’s site comprises an early 1970s example of retail architecture which is rather brutalist in appearance, being a two storey frame and masonry construction with masonry rendered walls, flat roofs and projecting canopy over the frontage.

“Given that there are limited locations for a typical offering form convenience retail of around 4-5,000 square feet in size, the site is well positioned to provide a suitable location.

“The proposal will benefit the town by redeveloping what is essentially a negatively viewed site within the local area.

“The proposed retail unit will be a bespoke build for a new Co-op foodstore, a modern ethical retailer, providing significantly improved retail offering for the town and centre in a new, environmentally efficient building.

“The existing Co-op foodstore in the town is not fit for purpose, does not allow Co-op Food to offer a full range of products, and given its location, is difficult to service.”

Sainsbury’s Selkirk store closed in 2019 after a decade of trading in the town.