Scottish Borders Council has announced five new shopfront and property improvement grant schemes for Jedburgh, Hawick, Galashiels, Eyemouth and Selkirk as part of an allocation of funding to key town centre projects.

The schemes have been developed in partnership with business/community groups and are being funded through our allocation from the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund.

Funding allocations

The funding allocations are:

• Eyemouth - £20k

• Galashiels - £70k

• Hawick - £40k (with additional funding opportunities to be considered)

• Jedburgh - £35k (with additional funding opportunities to be considered)

• Selkirk - £21k

Locally the schemes will be managed and administered by Selkirk Business Improvement District; Energise Galashiels; Future Hawick/Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme; Jedburgh Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme/Jedburgh Community Council; Eyemouth Community Council

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Councillor Mark Rowley, Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, said: "This type of scheme has proved successful in a number of our towns previously and that’s why we have worked alongside key community organisations to develop new schemes to launch this year.

"We have allocated funding to Eyemouth, Jedburgh, Hawick, Galashiels and Selkirk as these have been identified as priority towns for regeneration activity and we are delighted that community groups in each town have come on board to help direct the funding to the areas of most need and to manage the schemes.

"Businesses and residents often tell me that that the appearance of a town is vital to help a town thrive and be an attractive place to shop, visit or do business. Often a bucket of paint and minor works can have a huge impact so I'm glad these schemes will deliver just that as well as adding some extra private investment in our townscapes too.

"I really welcome that it is a range of local groups, at the heart of their communities, that will be helping the Council deliver these projects.

"Up to 128 shops and properties could be improved as a result, and alongside a range of other projects, such as the Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes in Jedburgh and Hawick and investment in Eyemouth, Selkirk and Galashiels town centres, we will see a real, visible difference on our high streets."

Any property owners or tenants interested in finding out more about their local scheme should contact:

• Selkirk – [email protected]

• Galashiels – [email protected]

• Hawick – [email protected]

• Jedburgh – [email protected]

• Eyemouth - [email protected]