Kelso: Starbucks drive-thru decision 'a massive missed opportunity'
Last updated 21st Mar 2025
A Kelso councillor has expressed his “bitter disappointment” at the refusal of a Starbucks drive-thru in the town – and urged the company to appeal the decision.
The proposed outlet had been earmarked for derelict land next to the homeless unit at Maxmill Park.
But the application submitted to Scottish Borders Council proved divisive, with dozens of comments in support and against.
Concerns were raised that the drive-thru would impact negatively on town centre traders.
Ultimately, council planning officer Euan Calvert concluded there were “more appropriate locations” for the outlet and refused the application.
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For Kelso & District Conservative councillor Tom Weatherston that decision is a “massive missed opportunity”.
He said: “That site has sat there empty for over 30 years, it’s the biggest eyesore in Kelso and I’m bitterly disappointed.
“I think folks have slightly missed the point, Sainsburys cafe closed after Covid, which was further out of Kelso than this proposal, and the actual town centre cafés actually increased in number.
“I’m not convinced this new cafe would have had any impact on the town centre.”
Mr Weatherston said a new Starbucks would generate passing trade too.
He added: “We closed two public toilets in Kelso and that only left one, which is in the middle of the town.
“If you are a van driver or lorry driver it’s exactly the kind of place you need so you can go to the loo, enjoy a cup of coffee and be away.
“The other advantage it has was the provision of four EV charging points. I haven’t had the chance to speak to the developer yet but I hope they appeal this decision.
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“I was on the community council prior to joining SBC in 2007 and we’ve tried to get this site developed for over 20 years.
“It’s now in the local plan for a development opportunity, so something has to go on there. Just say for example it was a garden centre, it would come with cars and it would come with a cafe.
“Something has to go on there and folk will just have to accept that.”
If approved the drive-thru would have been the second such outlet in the Borders, with Starbucks opening an outlet on the site of the old Abbotsford Arms Hotel in Galashiels, near the town’s Transport Interchange, in December 2022.
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