GALA'S new indoor market will start trading in January.

It was initially hoped to have the stalls set out in the run up to Christmas but a delay in obtaining a trading licence forced back the opening.

As revealed earlier this year in the Border Telegraph, plans to create a weekly market in the town's former post office have gathered pace.

Local entrepreneur Abby Keay, along with three other directors, have formed a community interest company.

And around 100 different traders have expressed an interest in taking a pitch.

Friday's decision by Scottish Borders Council to grant a licence is the final piece in the jigsaw. Ms Keay told us: "We would love to have launched for Christmas but it is looking like it will now be in the new year.

"We can now get on and order the stalls and finish off work inside the post office building.

"The licence we have is for all the traders who use our market so that they don't all have to apply individually.

"There is an agreement in place with the licence that we will accommodate other events, such as parades and the Braw Lads day."

A lease agreement has been reached with Royal Mail over the former post office building.

And finishing work, which includes levelling the floor and installing new power sockets, will take place over the coming weeks.

The Galashiels market will be held each week on Fridays and Saturdays.

It is planned to house 10 tables inside the Channel Street building with a fish van and further nine stalls located in the plaza outside.

And if the scheme is a success in Galashiels, Ms Keay hopes to roll similar schemes out to other towns.

She added: "Our three year plan is to extend out and have a similar type of market to Hawick and Kelso.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm and support for the market in Galashiels and we can't wait to get started."