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CHRISTMAS 2025 - SNEAK PEAK Our Project Manager, volunteer Board, community members, and partner organisations have been working closely to bring festive activity and energy into the heart of Galashiels. Together, we’re creating a Christmas season that celebrates the town, supports local businesses, and draws visitors to shop, eat, and enjoy everything Galashiels has to offer. This year’s campaign –  Where Christmas Comes Together  – embraces the true spirit of partnership th

From April 2026, businesses with Half-Hourly (HH) or large-consuming Non-Half-Hourly (NHH) electricity meters will see a sharp rise in standing charges - in some cases by £1,000 -£3,000 per year. These changes are part of the Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) programme, which will reshape how energy use and network costs are calculated. This update is particularly relevant for businesses whose contracts include pass-through charges such as TNUoS (Transmission Network

Galashiels has plenty to celebrate once again, with local businesses, venues, and young people continuing to shine. Tony’s Galashiels  – Congratulations to Tony’s on being named a  Mealzo Hidden Gem , recognising their fantastic food and loyal local following. They’re clearly keeping up the momentum - there was a  queue out the door  recently for their £5 menu! The Great Tapestry of Scotland – Huge congratulations to the team at the tapestry on winning the  South of Scotland

BID for Galashiels is delighted to be working with The Vacant Shops Academy (TVSA)   on a strategic year-long project aimed at tackling long-term vacancy in the town centre. The initiative brings together partners including South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE) ,  Scottish Borders Council (SBC) , and  Police Scotland , reflecting a shared commitment to supporting local economic growth and creating a vibrant, sustainable future for Galashiels. Over the past few months, the BID t

We’re busy working behind the scenes to create a Galashiels Christmas where everyone comes together to bring festive magic to the town. By teaming up with local businesses, key events, and community groups, we’re shaping a season full of sparkle and celebration. Full details of our Festive Season will be shared soon, but in the meantime, here are some key dates for your diary.   Christmas Light Switch On – Saturday 29th November A full day of festive fun from 10am to 6pm, inc

Community-led projects play a vital role in shaping the future of Galashiels. One great example of how that can come to life is Galashiels Soup , which returns on  Wednesday 25 th  of September at Café ReCharge . The format is simple: for a small donation on the night, attendees receive a bowl of homemade soup and the chance to hear pitches from up to four local individuals or groups. Each will share their ideas for projects designed to benefit the town. At the end of the eve

The  South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA )  is the destination management agency for our region, promoting the South of Scotland to visitors from across the UK and overseas. Their public-facing platform,  Scotland Starts Here , is where potential visitors – as well as travel agents and tour operators – go for information on where to stay, where to eat, and what to do. Right now, Galashiels is not well represented on this platform. That means visitors searching for id

Galashiels has plenty to celebrate this month, with achievements that highlight the town’s talent, creativity, and community spirit. From award-winning food and drink to world-class visitor attractions and a major transport milestone, these successes showcase Gala’s pride and momentum. 1953 – SPICE Scotland Success Local favourite  1953  has been highly commended at the SPICE Scotland Awards, which celebrate the very best of Asian and Indian cuisine across the country. It’s a

How can the summer holidays be almost over already? As pupils across Galashiels get ready to head back to school, we’re turning our attention to an issue that came up time and time again during last year’s business consultations – the employability skills of school leavers and part-time employees.   Over the past few months, we’ve been in discussions with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), and we’re both committed to working together to address this issue. Our aim is to en

Vacant units are a challenge for many town centres – and we know it’s a key concern here in Galashiels too. Since the BID company launched just 18 weeks ago, we’ve been working behind the scenes to thoroughly understand the issue and develop a practical, long-term approach.   We’ve been speaking with other Business Improvement Districts across Scotland to learn how they tackle long-term empty units, drawing on their successes to help shape our own strategy. At the same time,

This month, Mags joined Scottish Borders Council and Police Scotland for full-walk through of the entire BID area - from one end of the town to the other. We examined everything, from litter and empty units to signage and overall cleanliness, as well as the general atmosphere of the town. It was a chance to see, on the ground, what’s working well and where improvements are needed most. We examined everything, from litter and empty units to signage and overall cleanliness, as

Many local businesses have told us that rising utility costs are a major concern – so we listened and arranged some practical support. Through BID for Galashiels, we’ve partnered with Eyebright Utilities, a company with over 10 years of experience helping Business Improvement Districts across Scotland cut their energy costs.   Already, some of our members are saving thousands of pounds a year through this partnership – and you could be next.   Eyebright offers: Reviews of you

From the 25th to the 29th of August, we’ll be celebrating Galashiels’ fantastic businesses as part of Sc otland Loves Local week. This year’s theme – People Make Places – couldn’t be more fitting. After all, there’s surely no town that better embodies that spirit than Gala, named one of the happiest places to live in the UK.   From long-loved favourites to hidden gems waiting to be discovered, our local businesses are at the heart of our town. You can explore them on our sist

BID for Galashiels is delighted to announce a partnership with Eyebright Utilities. Eyebright work in conjunction with BIDs across Scotland to reduce operating costs for BID businesses. In more than 90% of cases, resultant savings are able to offset the BID levy, and more. Contact your Project Manager to find out more.

We are delighted to announce the BID for Galashiels Directors: Lewis Roden, Mitchell Glass Helen Calder, The Salmon Inn Lauren Jamieson, The Colourful Edit Jay Hogarty, Jay Hogarty Properties Angela Buglass Kelly, The Vintage Besoms Luigi Caterino, TIJ Andy Hay, The Explorer Group Deborah Fuller, Wetherspoons Tam Denholm, Project Nero Sebastian Janus, Cullen Kilshaw Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council

The BID for Galashiels has successfully secured a 'yes' in the recent ballot, paving the way for a brighter future for the town. This...

The Board of Directors for BID for Galashiels is delighted to confirm the appointment of Mags Fenner as Project Manager, marking the...

We were delighted to attend the Galashiels Heartland of the Borders Awards and join the town in celebrating the incredible businesses...

The steering group of the Galashiels Business Improvement District (BID) project is delighted to announce the appointment of Mags Fenner...