Border Telegraph | News | Lochcarron is on move to 'new Melrose'

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 14th December, 2005 11:16

Lochcarron is on move to 'new Melrose'

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

A GALASHIELS textile company is moving to a new site in Selkirk.

After years of speculation and many false dawns, Lochcarron of Scotland has confirmed that it is to leave its Huddersfield Street premises, a base since the mid-60s.

The company’s 160 workers were told on Monday that the company would be relocating.

The latest development has come as a relief to managing director David Ogilvie, who has been desperate to move the firm from sheds that have become increasingly difficult to maintain.

He said: “We’ve spent so long trying to find a buyer, but now I can confirm that the deal has been legally concluded.

“There’s no secret that we have been on the lookout for modern premises for our workers.

“That’s been difficult because so many Border towns are built in valleys.”

Tweedbank Industrial Estate was considered as a potential base and looked attractive with the intended creation of a railway terminal, but this site, like many others, was rejected.

In a textile manufacturing business flooded by cheap imports from the Far East, Lochcarron has been able to find niche markets for its products.

It means business is booming.

Mr Ogilvie said: “There’s no quiet time for us, but we would hope to be able to move by the middle of next year.”

Terrace Hill, a commercial development company, has planning permission to build non-food retail units to replace Lochcarron’s collection of decaying mill buildings.

Though sad to leave Galashiels, Mr Ogilvie is glad that the business has secured its future in the Borders.

He said: “We are pleased to be going to Selkirk, which has a rich textile heritage, and there’s really a bit of a buzz about the place.

“The town centre has great potential and, if the bypass comes and there is more development, it could become the new Melrose.

“We see this as a very positive move.”

Mr Ogilvie told the Border Telegraph that the company had still to choose its preference from three site options in Selkirk.

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