Friday December 19th 2025
Chambers Institute
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The transformation of an historic cultural and community hub in Peebles is a step closer reality after a planning bid was submitted.
The multi-million pound refurbishment of the Chambers Institution on the town’s High Street is now on a formal footing following submission of an application to Scottish Borders Council.
William Chambers, the dictionary publisher who passed away in 1883, gifted the Chambers Institution to Peeblesshire in 1859.
Owned by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and managed by the Chambers Institution Trust (CIT), the building is home to a range of co-located public services including the library service, museum, gallery, council Contact Centre, Visitor Information Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau, Registrar’s Office and Burgh Chamber, Burgh Hall and John Buchan Museum.
The plan is to make the historic building fit for the 21st century.
The bid, supported with £4.4 million from the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, will include alterations to improve access with a new entrance and reception space and refurbishment of facilities throughout the building.
A submission with the application states: “This project has been identified as the first phase of a multiphase transformation of the Chambers Institution building into a vibrant and contemporary public and social hub for Peebles, offering a broad range of social, cultural, and educational offers to support and enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.
“This project will also address the location of the existing public entrance to the building, which is currently via the main stairwell, accessed from the central courtyard.
“The Chambers Institution Trust have a transformational Future Vision for the Chambers Institution building, continuing the legacy of William Chambers for the Chambers Institution to provide ‘social, moral and intellectual improvement’.”
The John Buchan Museum, the Registrar’s Office and Burgh Chamber, the Burgh Hall, and the courtyard are excluded from the scope of this project.
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