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Borders town's traders back bid to boost business

BBC A smiling woman with her hair pulled back wearing a beige scarf and jacketBBC
Debbie Paterson of the Galashiels BID said it was time to start making a difference for the town

Plans aimed at boosting the local economy in a Borders town have been approved at the second attempt.

The Business Improvement District (BID) in Galashiels will see traders pay a levy which will then be used to improve the area.

A previous attempt to introduce the scheme was rejected in 2018.

However, this time the ballot was resoundingly in favour of taking the project forward.

Getty Images A view from the hillside over the Borders town of Galashiels with hundreds of rooftops and a church spire standing proud in the foregroundGetty Images
A levy on businesses in Galashiels will be used to help improve the area

Of the 129 business that took part in the poll, 110 of them voted for the introduction of the BID.

The initiative - backed by the Scottish government - is aimed at supporting economic growth in a town or commercial district.

It is normally led by the private sector and can help generating additional revenue to help boost visitors and extra footfall.

There are currently more than 30 BIDs operating in Scotland with one of them already in the Borders in the Tweed Valley.

Project manager Mags Fenner, who was also in charge when the previous vote went against the scheme in 2018, said: "Having project managed the last time, this is fantastic.

"I think the BID is going to make a huge difference to Galashiels.

"It is a huge opportunity for the town as it puts businesses in the driving seat."

A woman with her glasses on her head in a red, roll-neck jumper and a darker coat
Mags Fenner has led both attempts to introduce the scheme

Debbie Paterson, from textiles company Sinclair Duncan, is co-chair of the BID steering group.

She said: "The yes vote was even greater than we expected which is really encouraging.

"We did a lot of canvassing and listening to concern of the businesses, and there was a lot of enthusiasm towards what we hope to achieve.

"It will now be a case of appointing directors and start making a difference for our town."

A man with a beard in a dark zip-top with a light blue shirt showing underneath
Lewis Roden said he believed more visitors could be attracted to the town

Lewis Roden from Mitchell Glass is the other co-chair of the scheme.

He said: "Businesses in Galashiels need all the help they can get, and this vote today is a good start.

"We have the railway and some great attractions so it will be up to us to encourage as many visitors as we can to come an see the town for themselves.

"Many people go down to York for Christmas, I’d like to think we can similarly attract people."