Scottish Borders Council has announced that the first new office development within the Central Borders Business Park at Tweedbank is now nearing completion and is expected to be handed over by the building contractors in late September.

The council's IT service provider CGI will take up occupation as a tenant of the building later in the year following a fit-out process, as part of a regional commitment to secure and provide local employment opportunities.

CGI currently employs more than 70 people in the Borders with a further 56 vacant positions advertised. The company aims to achieve a headcount of circa 130 jobs by the end of this year with the majority of these jobs based at the new Tweedbank building.

As part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, development of the Central Borders Business Park continues to progress, with the first phase of construction nearly completed.

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Following approval by Council of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) earlier this year, enabling works at further areas of Tweedbank are also now able to be progressed, subject to the necessary planning consents. These include the development of an access road and services into the former Lowood Estate.

The council are also in the process of assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the commercial property market. This will inform future developments associated with phases two and three of the Tweedbank project.

In addition to the progress of the business park, business planning is going ahead for the development of a residential care village at Tweedbank. Further reports will be brought back to the Council on these plans.

Part funding for the Tweedbank development comes from the Borders Railway Blueprint programme, which aims to maximise the opportunities presented by the railway.

The Blueprint Programme includes involvement from partners including Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland, VisitScotland, Scottish Government, Midlothian Council, the City of Edinburgh Council, Abellio ScotRail and Network Rail.

Councillor Simon Mountford, Executive Member for Enhancing the Built Environment and Natural Heritage: "It is hugely encouraging to see this development taking shape as key milestones are met.

"An absolutely crucial aspect of the business park is that it should support and create local employment opportunities so it is extremely positive news that CGI will soon occupy this key location."