THE future of a café at the heart of Selkirk is hanging in the balance again after a potential tenant withdrew a takeover bid, it has emerged.

The Courthouse Coffee Shop at 28 Market Place closed late last year.

The premises, a category A-listed building, dates back to 1804 and lies within Selkirk Conservation area.

As a result of its closure the property, part of the town’s Common Good Fund portfolio, had lost rental income to the tune of £3,100.

A new tenant had been identified to take over the premises on a three-year lease at an annual rental of £6,000 a year.

The premises had been earmarked to reopen on September 1.

But when members of Selkirk Common Good Fund Sub-Committee met on Wednesday (September 13), they were informed that the applicant had withdrawn the offer and that the premises remains vacant.