Eschewing regional convention, the Scottish Borders has never been represented by the energy and ego of a single densely populated centre.
Instead, with characteristic independence of collective thought, it derives its now re-invigorated pulse from a network of important smaller towns.
Excepting rugby field rivalries, they exist as one while managing to connote their own individualism. There can be few places in Scotland where the committee of Council – in this case Scottish Borders Council (SBC) – community and private sector investors work in greater partnership.
Scottish Borders towns represent a distinctive lifestyle timeline. Echoes of a turbulent history, grand architectural statements and challenging industrial fortunes mix with the prospect of an accelerated return to a brighter economic outlook centred on developing its existing tourism and outdoor pursuits offer. It will, in no small way, be facilitated by the return of the Borders Railway.
The latter is the subject of a more detailed examination of its own, but it is by no means the only defining element of that term “communications” in the context of SBC communities.
The council has invested £8.4 million into the Digital Scotland programme to bring superfast broadband to its population – and find appropriate alternative solutions in areas where fibre broadband will not be suitable.
Around a third of the planned deployment is live, with more than 16,000 homes and businesses in the area now able to access high-speed internet technology. Including BT’s commercial coverage, over 38,000 premises in the Borders can now receive fibre broadband.
Sara Budge, Programme Director for Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband, said: “The £410m programme is now reaching communities across the Scottish Borders. By reaching out to those who would not have been covered through the commercial market we are ensuring that the connections will bring many benefits to people at home and in business. Anyone interested should contact their service provider.”
Anyone interested can check by postcode at www.digitalscotland.org/whereandwhen
Across the board, prudent strategic investment is underpinning the re-emergence of business confidence and the pride of residents.
With so many small towns powering its economic output, it could be argued that recession – tending to create bigger impact in areas of lesser critical mass – had a disproportionate affect.
Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, agrees there is work to be done to pull out of the problems created by downturn but that there have been other factors to fuel local optimism.
“The Scottish Borders economy performed relatively well before 2007, with economic output – or Gross Value Added (GVA) – expanding by, on average, just under four per cent in the 10 year period ending in 2009,” he explains. “But then the rate of change slumped, actually going negative for a year or so. Whilst we have seen some recovery, the challenges are illustrated by the relatively low level of productivity – with GVA per head sitting at only 70 per cent of the Scottish average.
“But the many small and micro businesses of the Scottish Borders have helped to protect the area from economic difficulties. Coming out of the downturn we have seen a number of new businesses grow strongly, while existing businesses with a technological edge continue to thrive. Nevertheless our towns have faced challenges with falling footfall and high rates and rents, which has left some towns with empty properties in key areas.
“What is encouraging is that in those towns most impacted, people and businesses have been working together to turn their prospects round. Border towns are each distinct and proud, with strong local traditions.”
Bell’s hint of booming new businesses is no throw-away remark. By example, look at Qube GB. Headquartered in Galashiels, this technical services firm announced in June that it would grow from 257 employees to 537. It was formed in 2007, just before global slowdown, with just three staff. It runs a support centre in Hertfordshire and provides installation services to the telecommunications sector.
Even traditional industries are seeing solid improvement. “The increasing focus on high-end, high quality products in important worldwide markets has helped resurrect the textile industry locally,” the councillor adds.
The acquisition by luxury goods group Chanel of the Hawick-based firm Barrie is a prime example; its own brand and own stores have followed. Hawick Knitwear and Johnstons of Elgin (a more northerly investor) are other premium names in the sector. There is an added value twist in the revival of these traditional businesses; many of them are keen to present themselves as tourist attractions. An important focus now is to try to encourage visitors to stay longer. There is world-class mountain biking, road cycling, golf, salmon fishing, and diving – as well as the Borders’ abbeys and fine country houses, such as Floors near Kelso and Abbotsford.
A snapshot glance is enough to show its place and potential. “The Scottish Borders welcomes nearly half a million visitors every year, who contribute more than £110m to the economy,” says Paula McDonald, VisitScotland’s Regional Director for the area. “Even more people will be able to enjoy this unique region with the opening of the Borders Railway.
“VisitScotland is helping to deliver a marketing programme that brings the Borders Railway to life, targeting potential leisure and business visitors.”
The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is also assisting communities and their businesses. SBRC is combines expertise from Police Scotland, Scottish Government, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, major banks, industries, investors and others to create a secure environment where business can trade and prosper. This encompasses everything from cyber security, secure premises and employee safety to bogus crime, illicit trade and metal theft.
The scars of past retail trading difficulties in town centres could pose a threat – but only if left to fester. Mike Gray of Energise Galashiels (EG), a community engagement group focused on delivering improvements to the town, working alongside the council, offers examples of how makeovers can pay dividends.
“Property Agents were contacted seeking support to allow EG to create window displays.The idea is to access and utilise window spaces in premises whilst they lie unlet,” Gray explains. “We can create static displays. We can remove ‘For Sale’ signs and use electrical supplies – a major benefit for some displays.”
And as home to Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles & Design, Gala’ is clearly keen to take advantage of an association with scholarly endeavour, one that demands a sharper outer coat to fashion its image.
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