DEVELOPERS claim to have been buoyed by support for their hotel and retails plans for Tweedbank.

During an update event last week in the village New Land Assets bosses believe they are receiving overwhelming support to bring a BP petrol filling station, M&S Food Hall, a Costa coffee shop, a supermarket and a Premier Inn hotel to the nearby industrial estate.

More than 200 people attended the event at the Tweedbank Community Centre.

Duncan Hamilton of New Land Assets, told the Border Telegraph: "The community update was very well attended and it was heartening to see a high level of support for the Borders’ Gateway development at Tweedbank.

"We are encouraging people to register their views with the council and we should like to thank all those that took the time to come along.

“It is clear that the facilities and job opportunities that will result from this investment have a great deal of support locally.

"People appreciate how this redundant site can contribute towards the council’s tourism strategy, link with the train station as well as provide new job opportunities and facilities that Tweedbank needs.”

Since the full application for the development was tabled last November, it has attracted objections from the Co-op group as well Energise Galashiels.

But there have also been close to 40 letters of support for the plans.

Nick Johnston of Premier Inn, who was at the update meeting, added: "Premier Inn customers expect our new hotels to be in highly accessible and connected locations.

"The proximity of the Borders Gateway development to the arterial road network and train station ensures this accessibility for our guests and team members.

"The site is also well-located for accessing popular local attractions such as Abbotsford House and Melrose Abbey and other drivers of hotel demand such as the Borders General Hospital and businesses in Tweedbank.

“It’s a location that will work well for us and learning from our experience of running Premier Inn hotels in market towns across the country, we expect the hotel will be popular with business and leisure guests throughout the year.”