Date confirmed for opening of new Hawick Business Centre
Hawick Business Centre is due to open its doors in Oliver Crescent later this month.
The £2.6 million development - on the site of the former Almstrongs Department Store - is designed to help locals grow their business, and create new jobs.
As well as boasting drop-in work spaces and video-conferencing facilities, the new building also includes a digital lab to help them reach new audiences online, with a podcast recording studio capable of live streaming, and virtual reality headsets.
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Community and Business Development, said: “The plans for the centre were developed on the back of the Hawick Action Plan and this project has regenerated a site in the heart of the town.
“With a modern business facility now ready to open, I am excited by what will now be achieved through this project and our partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise over the next 12 months and the positive impacts this facility will have on our local economy over many years.”
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The project has been led by Scottish Borders Council, with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) now set to deliver a 12-month business accelerator programme from the centre.
A drop-in event is being held on Thursday, April 18th, from 10am to 4pm to allow people to explore the new building, with the Business Centre due to open the following day.
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SOSE chair Professor Russel Griggs said: “Over the next 12 months, SOSE will be providing a series of programmes and workshops to support businesses and enterprises across the Scottish Borders to reach their potential, with a range of modern facilities on offer for wider community as well.
“These include our digital lab which will have virtual reality headsets, podcast and live streaming studios, as well as enterprise sessions focussed on a variety of topics including artificial intelligence.
“Our Five Year Plan focusses on Six A’s, two of which are advancing innovation and awakening entrepreneurial talent - we believe the services we will offer in Hawick Business Centre over the next 12 months will do just that for the Scottish Borders.”
While the Scottish Government funded the development of the building, SOSE and the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund provided almost £300,000 more to help furnish and fit out the building.
An official opening of the Centre is expected to take place in coming months.
More information on Hawick Business Centre including how to book is available at www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/hawickbusinesscentre