B&B owner’s ‘shock’ at collapse
He said he managed to get the building emptied around an hour before the partial collapse occurred at around 9:30am on Sunday.
He explained: “We had some signs of the wall going under the water. There were cracks coming in the wall, so we evacuated the premises. At night the river was very strong and high, and in the morning it just collapsed.”
Mr Antonacci said renovations to the 200 year old building had been carried out only a few months ago, separate from a multimillion pound flood protection scheme, which is due to be completed in 2022.
Despite extensive flooding in the town in previous years, he said he had never encountered any major issues.
“We have never had any problems before,” he explained. “There was a big flood in 2005, but it was just a big washout in the middle of the area, but not particularly in my building.”
He said he had “no idea whatsoever” what would become of the partially collapsed structure, adding: “It wasn’t very nice to see it, I have got to say that … I was completely shocked.
“I created [the business] from derelict, and I have been here for so many years, it was part of me.”
Asked if it was possible to reopen, he replied: “I don’t know, it depends on what the insurance tells me. Hopefully.”
Police said no-one was injured in the incident and a cordon had been placed around the building.
Scottish Borders Council said its building control officers had been involved in assessing the damage.