Plans to extend historic Melrose pub given the green light

It’s always tricky trying to secure planning permission when a pub’s steeped in history but The King’s Arms in Melrose High Street has managed it. Scottish Borders Council planners have said yes to the addition of a side extension to the pub, believed to date back to the 1820s. It has been shut since January last year. A spokesperson for owner Punch Taverns told DRAM, ‘’We are pleased to confirm that we have recruited an experienced operator to take the long term opportunity at the Kings Arms Hotel. We plan to complete a significant investment of more than £500k which will comprise of a full redecoration throughout, bringing this fantastic building up to date whilst maintaining all its existing charm and tradition. We are also really excited to confirm that we have been successful in gaining planning permission to extend the building and create an orangery style dining room. We look forward to sharing more detail with the community as the project progresses’’