A BUSINESS Gateway service in Selkirk is set to move to Tower Mill in Hawick after 16 years in the town.

The service, provided by Scottish Borders Council, will move to its new home in late March, having been based at Ettrick Riverside in Selkirk since 2001.

The move will enable the expansion of a private sector firm at Ettrick Riverside.

Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “Our Business Gateway service offers a wide range of advice, support and training for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors and at all stages of development, and will continue to do so from a new base in Hawick town centre.

“This move supports elements of the Hawick Action Plan, developed in partnership between the Council, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and local business community, and will provide a high street premise for the service for the first time.

“This will make it easier for people to drop in to see the business advisors and generate increased footfall in Hawick town centre.

“By working in partnership with Live Borders, who operate Tower Mill and a wide range of other facilities and community centres, the service will increase delivery of workshops to businesspeople and entrepreneurs across the Scottish Borders, while also minimising rental costs.”

Phil McCreadie, Business Gateway manager, added: “After many successful years in Selkirk, the team is looking forward to being based in Hawick and the new opportunities this will present.

“We will continue to operate on a locality basis, with advisors working closely with businesses in communities across the Borders to help them achieve their aims.

“We look forward to making use of other Live Borders premises to provide a local service across the area and delivering a wide range of workshops.”