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We are not yet a full year into the BID, but the momentum built so far is already shaping a promising year ahead. The response to our Christmas activity has shown how much can be achieved when businesses and partners work together, and that sense of collaboration will continue to guide us into 2026. Here’s what’s coming up so far: Eyebright Utilities continuing, helping businesses reduce their utility costs. Many businesses are already benefiting from savings, and there will

When we began developing Where Christmas Comes Together, one of our guiding principles was to ensure the entire campaign supported the local economy. As a BID, we are committed to sourcing services as close to home as possible. Our procurement approach is straightforward: we look to BID members first, then to Galashiels-based businesses, then to suppliers within the wider region, and further afield where a balanced decision needs to be made on what represents best value for o

As conversations around footfall continue not just here but in towns and cities across the UK, it’s important to recognise the wider landscape. Changing shopping habits, the growth of online retail and the way people now use their leisure time have all shaped how often, and for what reasons, people choose to visit town centres. This is a national shift, not something unique to Galashiels, and many places are exploring new ways to encourage people to spend more time in their l

This month, we’re pausing our usual featured business spotlight to offer a heartfelt thank you to every business that supported Where Christmas Comes Together. The way Galashiels came together - promoting the campaign, displaying materials, getting involved in activities and championing the town - made this year’s festive season something truly special. Together, we created something the whole community could be proud of.   We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our sp

The first-ever Festive Gala brought a real sense of energy into Galashiels on Saturday 29 th  of November, with thousands of people choosing to spend their day in the town centre. From morning activities to the torchlight finale, the atmosphere was lively, welcoming and full of festive spirit. Crucially, that vibrancy translated into meaningful support for local businesses, showing just how powerful well-coordinated, community-centred events can be.   Here’s a snapshot of the

Project Coordinator Self-Employed Contract – 12 Months | Part-Time (Monday to Friday, 4 hours per day) Location: Hybrid – Remote working plus regular local presence in Galashiels. Fee/Rate: To be agreed, based on experience. About Us BID for Galashiels is a dynamic Business Improvement District dedicated to enhancing the vitality, visibility, and prosperity of our town centre. Working closely with local businesses, community organisations, and regional partners, we deliver in

BID for Galashiels and South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE) are natural partners, sharing a common goal - to build a brighter, more resilient future for the town. As the South of Scotland’s dedicated economic and community development agency, SoSE is focused on unlocking the region’s full potential by backing businesses, boosting skills, strengthening communities, and shaping a sustainable local economy. BID for Galashiels is already working closely with SoSE on several key p

Galashiels has plenty to celebrate once again, with Gala Tandoori Indian leading the way. Amir Hossain of Gala Tandoori, on the High Street, has been named Chef of the Year in Scotland at the Euro Asia Curry Awards 2025. The annual event celebrates the very best of the UK’s curry industry, recognising outstanding restaurants, takeaways, newcomers, and chefs from across the country. This year, more than 450 establishments and individuals took part, with around 60 winners annou

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 that sits at the heart of BID

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