Hotel development in Galashiels included in multi-million pound plans to boost economic growth in the Scottish Borders
Details of the UK Government's Levelling Up Partnership funding have been confirmed
Last updated 26th May 2024
Galashiels is in line for a new hotel development, as part of multi-million pound plans to boost economic growth in the Scottish Borders.
Last year it was announced the Scottish Borders was set to receive £20 million worth of investment from the UK Government's Levelling Up fund.
And now details of the projects to benefit have been announced.
As well as money for "new hotel development", £11 million earmarked for "supporting local economic development" also includes cash for a new bunk house at the Crook Inn, at Tweedsmuir.
That's designed to support plans to attract more visitors to a new trail along the River Tweed.
Money to buy business units in Eyemouth; and set-up a new brownfield fund pot for Hawick, are also included.
Meanwhile, £2.3 million has been set aside to support the local bus network, while £6 million will support "refurbishment and retrofitting of buildings, youth services and village halls".
A spokesperson at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "All the Levelling Up Partnerships will be subject to business case."
The former Burgh Yard site in Galashiels has previously been earmarked for a potential hotel development.
This latest announcement comes just weeks after the chairman of the Jim Clark Rally revealed a shortage of overnight accommodation in the region could prevent the event expanding - with many locals renting out their spare rooms for the weekend.
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Speaking at the time of the original funding announcement, Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Borders has been announced as one of four areas of Scotland to benefit from developing a Levelling Up Partnership with the UK Government and £20million of associated funding.
“The aim of this initiative is to support regeneration in areas of most need and we look forward to welcoming the UK Government’s Levelling Up Partnerships team to help identify interventions which will have the biggest impact and to rapidly progress discussions with our communities and partners.
"This process will allow us to identify the most effective projects to tackle some of the challenges we have here in the Borders and deliver the biggest impacts.
“This is very welcome investment into our area and will have a very positive impact in our communities.”
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