Town teams are now refining their ideas and preparing business cases ahead of final funding decisions as part of a £20 million Scottish Government investment. Proposals under consideration range from a promenade and indoor family attractions in Stranraer to a town centre regeneration project providing social housing and retail space in Galashiels.

On a visit to Galashiels town centre ahead of the Convention of the South of Scotland, deputy first minister Kate Forbes said: “These proposals are an important step forward for towns across the south of Scotland. Local volunteers have worked hard to develop these plans and this £20m investment aims to create hundreds of jobs, attract thousands of visitors and generate tens of millions of pounds for the Borderlands economy.

“Galashiels’ revitalisation over the past decade demonstrates the benefits of giving communities the tools and resources to shape their own future. In addition to this, as part of our draft Budget for 2026-27 we have allocated £47m towards community-led regeneration across Scotland.”

Around 30 projects across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are anticipated to receive funding through the Borderlands Growth Deal’s Place Programme. These are expected to be complete by 2031.

Place plans were developed by town teams made up of volunteers representing local community organisations and residents, supported by council officers, elected members and South of Scotland Enterprise. Town teams are now preparing business cases for individual projects, with funding decisions expected in the coming months.

Town-by-town proposals include:

• Stranraer: A promenade at the East Pier, a wellbeing hub at Dick’s Hill, an outdoor nursery to help parents into work, indoor family attractions in the town centre, shopfront improvements and a town centre living project.
• Hawick: Transformation of the disused Old Wilton Primary School into an arts and creative hub, a new centre at the historic Mair site to host community events, outdoor learning and health programmes alongside a new town signage scheme.
• Galashiels: Redeveloping a vacant building in the town centre to provide space for three shops and up to 17 affordable homes and improving accessibility and energy efficiency at MacArts, a music and arts venue located in a former church. Additional proposals include a network of multi-use trails and expanding an existing bike hire hub into new premises with overnight accommodation.
• Jedburgh: A potential community hub in the former VisitScotland centre, regeneration of the town hall and reopening the Laidlaw Memorial Pool, which closed in 2024.
• Kirkconnel & Kelloholm: Five supported homes to help elderly residents live independently and new small business units.
• Eyemouth: Improvements to the destination play park, enhancements to the beachfront and Bantry promenade and restoration of historic buildings across the town.

Work is continuing to finalise projects in Whithorn, Gretna and Wigtown & Bladnoch with town teams developing proposals around themes including town centre revitalisation, housing, transport connections and celebrating local heritage.

Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Deputy First Minister to Galashiels and the wider South of Scotland as we showcase the ambition, creativity and commitment of our town teams.

“Across the region, volunteers, local organisations and councils have worked tirelessly to develop proposals that put communities at the heart of regeneration. We are proud of the progress made so far and of the difference this investment has the potential to make for towns right across the South of Scotland.”