A NEW pop-up shop in Galashiels opened this week to help visitors get the most of the Borders.

Representatives from the town as well as Selkirk and Hawick will provide information for tourists.

And Borders Sport and leisure, who have taken out the lease on the building, will also offer details of all their services and centres.

Located in Douglas Bridge, close to the new Transport Interchange, the Our Borderlands visitor information centre represents a unique partnership.

Ewan Jackson, Chief Executive of Borders Sport and Leisure said: “We have taken a short term lease on this shop as a pilot exercise to promote the Scottish Borders on a region-wide basis.

"Our aim is to encourage everyone, especially those coming via the new rail link, to enjoy the diversity of recreational opportunities available in different towns.”

The railway, and the opportunity it presents for the entire region, is the catalyst for this collaborative approach and it is hoped that other towns will choose to join the initiative so that its reach can be spread even further.

Mike Gray from Energise Galashiels said: “Our region is an outstanding destination for active tourism such as cycling, mountain biking and walking. A link with Borders Sport and Leisure, whose vision is improved lives through physical activity, sport and leisure, is a natural one."

This unique venture sees organisations working together for the common good of all the towns.

Andrew Farquhar from Future Hawick added: “All of the Borders towns have seen the same trend of decline in foot-fall. The return of the railway represents a great opportunity for us all to try and reverse this trend – and to do so, we need to focus on the best the Borders has to offer. That is what “Our Borderlands” centre will do”.

Will Haegeland from Selkirk Means Business said: “Never in my 12 years of business here in the Borders have I seen such willingness to work together for the benefit of all our towns. That is the core of the Out Borderland initiative.”