Jobs and regeneration on Market Street
Published 30 Sep 2011 09:30
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A GALASHIELS eyesore is set to be transformed into a late-night kebab shop.
One of the Borders fastest men - sprint ace Iskan Barskanmay - wants to transform the former Intersport premises on Market Street into a takeaway.
The corner building has been empty for over three years and has come in for criticism from community leaders.
Another Market Street shop also looks set to be transformed as Reiver
Recruitment, which has been operating in the town for almost eight years, is also looking to relocate to the former florists.
But it is the improvements to Intersport's building which will be most welcome.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph this week, Iskan said: "This is a shop which has been lying empty for quite some time.
"I understand the plans are to divide the building into three separate areas. It is an exciting challenge for me, but I have a great deal of experience in the fast food business with shops in Jedburgh and Kelso.
"I am hopeful of having this shop open by the New Year and would be looking to recruit around five people."
Meanwhile Reiver Recruitment could be looking to take on employees of their own if their plans to relocate are given the green light.
The company which began trading in 2003 as Reiver Business Services has operated out of their current rented offices for the last five years and the firm has gone from strength to strength.
In 2008 they also began trading under the name of Reiver Recruitment, while earlier this year they sold off the bookkeeping and payroll aspect of the company. Over the last few years they have invested heavily in new technology and modernise the business and the relocation is the next step along this path.
Managing Director, Eileen Pheasant told the Border Telegraph: "This is a great opportunity to consolidate our business. We have looked at a number of premises and identified 46 Market Street. Although these premises are in a current state of disrepair we feel that they could be brought up to spec with some investment from the company.
"After talking to the current owner and agreeing that we would take on this project with the intention of renting the property for the next two years and ultimately to purchase the property for the business."
The application has attracted support from Galashiels and District Councillor Sandy Aitchison. He said: "There is nothing more dispiriting in a major town like Galashiels than to walk streets and see boarded up premises looking for a future.
"This application is to create an employment agency within the town centre and that must be a good thing in the present economic climate where such assistance to our population is so necessary and helpful for the economy of our area."
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