Time with Kate Forbes

BID for Galashiels were invited to speak with Kate Forbes during her recent visit to the town.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the positive work taking place across Galashiels and to showcase the strong collaboration between local groups, businesses and organisations. We were pleased to share how partnership working is helping to reset, restore and rebuild confidence in the town centre.

Our Chair, Lewis Roden, said: “Kate’s visit really showed the strength of the passionate groups in the town, all working together to reset, restore and keep building life back into the town centre. There’s a clear shift as people return to town centres, recognising that online shopping can feel soulless compared to strong, vibrant local places.”

It was also great to hear that Kate’s very first job, at just 17, was with Inverness BID - an organisation that has been driving positive change in its city centre since 2008.

Visits like this help reinforce the importance of local places, local people and continued investment in our town centres as we work together to build a strong future for Galashiels.