THE owner of the Scott Street Stores in Galashiels which closed earlier this month, says there has already been “considerable interest” in the property.

We revealed last week that the Galashiels shop as well as the Clovenfords store were closing.

But James Farish, landlord of several retail properties in the central Borders, is hopeful a new tenant will be established soon at the convenience store on the corner of Scott Street and Lintburn Place.

And he quashed rumours on social media that another of his shops – the Premier outlet in Wood Street – is also due to close.

“It is not closing, but it is changing management in February because the current tenant is retiring after 13 years,” Mr Farish told the Border Telegraph.

“Steven Wilson of the Tweedbank Late Shop will be taking over at Wood Street to offer the same high level of service.”

Mr Farish said the circumstances surrounding the decision of Scott Street tenant Neil Babington to call it a day on January 13 after six years was “unfortunate”.

“As the landlord, we try to help our tenants by cutting rents and giving capital rebates,” he told us.

“The small business rate relief has also been a lifeline, but in these tough economic times, even that is not enough to stop some of them closing.

“However, on a positive note I am delighted to say there has already been considerable interest in the property.”