A FREE bus service is being introduced in Selkirk next week to encourage the town’s workforce to dine out for lunch - and give local businesses a boost.

Community councillors heard around 1500 workers are employed on the Riverside Business Park but, despite a lack of cash machines and eating places in the industrial zone, few of them venture into the town centre during the working day.

Now local business leaders are driving forward a new initiative to change all that.

A heritage bus will operate between the Riverside Business Park and town centre to transport workers from behind their desks to local eateries on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 23 to 25, between 11.30am to 2.30pm.

And, to make it more enticing, local shops are organising a “fiver-fest” - offering customers special deals for £5 or less - to coincide with the new drive.

If is succesful, it is hoped the initiative, a co-operation between the Selkirk CARS - Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and Selkirk Chamber of Trade and Commerce - could be made permanent and help attract new businesses to the area.

At this month’s meeting of the community council, which met in the Victoria Hall on Monday night, community councillor Kathleen Beaton pointed out many town centre businesses don’t stay open after midday on a Saturday.

But Will Haegeland, chairman of Selkirk Chamber of Trade Commerce, said he hoped some businesses would stay open longer to take advantage of the extra trade and that, he added, would encourage more to do likewise.

Mr Haegeland said: “Selkirk has a lot to offer such as Butchers, Bakers, Hair Dressers, Gift Shops, Flower Shops, Craft Shops and hotels, coffee shops, book shops, Fashion and Accessories as well as gifts for the home, pharmacies, and a variety of pop up shop - The Fiver Fest is an opportunity to rediscover what Selkirk has to offer and make the most of these special deals. At the same time it is all about looking after small businesses and rewarding their investment in the town.” And Colin Gilmour, Selkirk Cars Project Manager, added: “We are delighted to assist with this unique initiative, which highlights the importance of small businesses in the community as well as working towards important camaraderie that shows that the town of Selkirk is developing a growing community spirit.” The community council’s planning spokesman, Ian King, also called for an information board promoting local attractions to be installed, along with those of other towns, at the new rail terminus in Tweedbank.