A LONG-ESTABLISHED Melrose wine shop and cafe in an historic setting has been granted approval for later opening hours over the summer months.

Abbey Fine Wines, at 17 Market Square, will be able to open the bottle shop and cafe, incorporating a rear outside seating area under the remains of 12th century Rhymers Tower, until at least 8pm, members of Scottish Borders Licensing Board have agreed.

The alteration to the operating plan is aimed at providing a service to both tourists and locals enjoying such events at the town’s book festival and the Melrose Sevens.

The Wynd Group purchased the premises in October 2022 and has since refurbished it.

In his submission to the licensing board, applicant Andrew Deans said: “The majority of our customers come to enjoy a light lunch in the cafe and alongside that they like to have a glass of wine or beer.

“We recently refurbished the premises in January so we have made this application to vary our licence to allow more operational flexibility and to formalise what has been done by the previous operator as well.

“In reality there will be very little change to how the business is operated. The core hours of the business are currently Monday to Friday, nine to five, with the cafe opening some Sunday’s seasonally, in July and August throughout the summer.

“It’s out intention to open slightly later, until about 8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, but only seasonally, in the touristy times but also around town events such as the Melrose Sevens and the book festival, things like that.

“The use of the outside tables has been a practice for over 15 years without any complaint and it is very weather-dependent, we very seldom do get to use the outside area. There will be little increase in footfall.”

There were two objections to the application from neighbours expressing concern over potential noise impact.

But board members expressed confidence in the business acting responsibly to mitigate any such issues.

Councillor David Parker said: “It think it is very useful that the applicant has agreed to reduce the outdoor area opening to 8pm and that’s a very responsible approach.

“This is a long-established business in Melrose. It has traded, I think, for 40 years, owned by one family until recently and then the Deans family have come in and taken over and carried out a very significant refurbishment of the business.

“It’s a well-run establishment and I would certainly support this application.”