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THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
One home – or two – and a lot more besides, Only very rarely do you come across a property that offers as many possibilities as number 18 Market Place in the conservation town of Lauder in Berwickshire. In addition to being a substantial two-storey period townhouse with a wealth of original features, this property includes an income-generating post office and retail outlet, large walled rear garden, two double garages (one of which houses the town’s Royal Mail sorting office) and a detached stone-built outbuilding with plans for a conversion to make a two bedroomed granny annex or holiday let. Built in 1846, according to a date stone on the outhouse wall, the house on the two floors above the long-established post office is entered by a side door and staircase to two public rooms, big family dining kitchen and bathroom with over-bath shower on the first floor, plus four bedrooms and another even larger bathroom on the second floor.
Although it was the post office that initially enticed present owner Frances Baillie and her husband Alec to view the property in 1998, it was the house that sealed the deal. Frances explains: “Living in a modern house in Edinburgh at the time, we fell in love with the character and charm of the property’s living space, particularly the sitting room and family/dining room, both of which have bay windows, original fireplaces and cornicing. In addition, the post office presented an ideal work opportunity for Alec, who had taken early retirement from teaching,”
This home has many admirable features – the sitting room has a white marble fireplace with open fire and sanded original wood floor; the family/dining room has a stone fireplace and working chimney; and the kitchen, which also has a sanded original wood floor, is fitted with wooden units, built-in oven and hob (space for other appliances), and includes a dining alcove. Three of the bedrooms have attractive combed ceilings and original fireplaces (for decoration only, not working chimneys), while the two front bedrooms have dormer windows – the pale blue and white top floor bathroom is notable also for its unusually large size.
THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
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Lauder’s Post Office building is a Borders gem Outside, the walled garden is fabulous and large enough to offer countless possibilities. Plans drawn up in 2005 to convert the stone outbuilding into living accommodation are available – currently this building is used mainly as a store. Which leaves the post office and shop. Ideally Frances would like to see the post office continuing, although if that is not possible, Post Office Counters would instigate a change of premises - at present the post office is run by a temporary sub-postmistress who is willing to stay on, or remain in place until the new owner is able to take over. Royal Mail, which currently leases one of the two garages at the rear of the building for use as the town’s sorting office, would also have to relocate if the post office function was to cease. It’s also worth noting that this property is in a conservation area and although the actual building is not listed in its own right, there is a B-listed red telephone kiosk outside and a C-listed building next door, which may restrict changes or alterations to the front of the building. This is an exceptional lifestyle opportunity in a popular town only 20 miles from Edinburgh, one that offers a spacious four bedroomed family home, scope for a holiday let or additional cottage in the garden, AND the opportunity to work on the premises in a long established post office and put your own stamp on the retail side of the business.
18 Market Place, Lauder, TD2 6SR Guide Price £310,000
Details on page 66