We are proposing that Jedburgh’s Carnegie Library Building be redeveloped into a Community and Events space, with additional provision for small business office lets.
The building will provide an affordable, professional and welcoming space for the community to use for a wide range of activities. Its layout and facilities will accommodate a space for the community to meet, whether that is as simple as a coffee morning, a toddlers group or art class, through to dance and theatre rehearsals, local performer nights and youth clubs. These will run alongside an ambitious cultural programme including live music, theatre, storytelling, comedy and more, featuring national performers who would never otherwise come to Jedburgh. It will be homely but forward thinking, a little bit of Jedburgh brilliance.
It can be the place where a young person first sees live music. Or the first time they perform on a stage that isn’t in their school. It can be the place where a parent goes to a toddler group and finds out about the writing group; they pick up a pen for the first time since they left school. It can be the reason someone visits Jedburgh for the first time. It can be the reason they come back and decide to stay overnight, to see a great event. It can bring the town together.
And with the three start-up office spaces, we can offer growing business owners a place to step up from working at home – or, offer space for larger organisations to set up satellites in Jedburgh.
Because this building has such a rich heritage, dating all the way back to 1900, it is the ideal place to be brought back to life with such a strong community focus.
The plan is relatively low cost and low risk. We will take on a lease for the building from SBC for five years at a cost of £1 per year. During that five years we will work with Scottish Land Trust to secure funding to purchase the building on behalf of the community via a community asset transfer. It will then, once again, belong to the people of Jedburgh. The only other alternatives on the table for the building are to be sold to private investors.
Once the lease is secured, refurbishment will take place, bringing the building up to modern standards. The building is generally in good condition and the required refurbishment costs will be secured through funding and fundraising. Once the building is open – expected Summer 2026 – it will need to generate approximately £10,000 a year income to break even. That equates to two of the three office leases being taken and approx 11 hours usage a week. We believe this is more than achievable, setting up the building with real potential to grow and develop into a space that is the envy of every other Border town.
It will be run by Jedburgh Carnegie Library CLG, a not for profit organisation with charitable status consisting of a committee of voluntary trustees. The local community will be able to join the organisation as members (at no cost) to influence the running of the organisation and the building.
All we need for this to happen is for SBC to approve our plan. And a big part of that is showing local support for it. We’ve asked before for support in stopping it being sold to a private investor. Now we need you to say you support this plan specifically.
If you do, please FILL OUT THIS QUESTIONNARIE. The first three questions are the key ones, but there is space further along to add your own specific ideas, support or concerns.
If you feel you need more information before signing, we can provide you with a copy of the business plan. Please contact us to arrange that.
We have until October 26th to get as much support as we can. Please sign and please share!
Thank you – Jedburgh Carnegie Library CLG