STARBUCKS is fighting to overturn a Scottish council blocking the development of a new cafe in a historic town.
The coffee giant already has an outlet in the Borders, in Galashiels, but is seeking to open a new one on a derelict site in Kelso.
However, Scottish Borders Council's planning department refused the proposal due to concerns it would harm the "vitality and viability" of the town centre.
Planning officials also described the development as "an incongruous addition to the residential streetscape".
The company has appealed against that decision and it will be discussed by the council’s local review body on September 15.
The proposals have been met with opposition from some locals as well as independent coffee shops, with concerns it could lead to closures.
An appeal statement from Starbucks argued, however, that it would "serve a different function" to other businesses and would not have a "direct, significant or adverse impact on other equivalent facilities".
The company said that it would hire 30 staff for the £1.5 million development.
Meanwhile, others – including local councillor Tom Weatherston – are supportive of it, especially given it brings a disused site back into use.
The council's local review body will now decide later this month on whether or not to overturn the council's original decision and let it proceed.
