A COLLECTIVE of creatives is hoping to build Galashiels the brand over the coming weeks.

A new slogan as well as a logo will be unveiled later this month to help promote the town.

Continuing the work already delivered through the Tomorrow’s Gala partnership, the new marketing team have put their heads together.

Led by local marketing professional Emily McGowan, industry professionals Steven Rayner, Cat McLaughlin and Katy Barden along with visual communications student Michael Louth are developing a brand that will be used for future promotions of Galashiels.

Emily told us: "Towns and cities across the UK are facing social and economic challenges, Gala is not unique in that respect, but what will set us apart is how we deal with those challenges.

"This is our community and the simple choice we face is to support change by taking positive action, or to do nothing.

"Together with the rest of the team, I feel strongly that we have to move with the times and do what we can, with the resources we have, to make a difference.”

Steven Rayner, who provides photography, video and digital content for local businesses and the community, has lived in Galashiels for almost a decade.

The 27-year-old said: “The town has lost a lot of its buzz in recent years for a multitude of reasons.

"This project - together with other supporting activity - should help bring back the community spirit and remind everyone what it is that makes this town such a great place to be.”

Katy Barden, who spent ten years in the Midlands, is a communications specialist and former head of PR and communications for the Birmingham-based NEC Group.

After returning to her roots last year, she is hopeful the collaboration of minds can benefit her hometown.

Katy said: "While no single person or project can transform the town, we can all play our part in making a difference.

"I hope this new brand identity will give us an opportunity to talk about Gala with greater pride and positivity.

"There’s no silver bullet for change, but we live in a great place, so we should celebrate that.”

Creative designer and former Heriot-Watt University School of Textiles student Cat McLaughlin has a range of experience across visual communications, web design, animation and social media.

The 36-year old said: "My father had strong family connections to Gala and I’ve always had a soft spot for the town.

"I would love to see this project help to breathe some fresh energy into its ongoing process of rejuvenation.”

A new brand and logo for the town is expected to be launched later this month.

Debbie Paterson from Tomorrow’s Gala added: “It's wonderful that everyone has such strong feelings about what Gala means to them.

“Through Build a Better Gala, our town centre initiative, we’ve already spoken to a section of the community and stakeholders to help inform the brand development.

"Now it’s time to use those viewpoints to give Gala a clear positive identity.

"We’ve commissioned local marketing firm McGowan Marketing to create a slogan and logo.

"Together with supporting materials, that will be made available to local groups and businesses to use when they’re promoting the town. Going forward, our goal is to have a positive message for community use, be it talking about Gala as home, or in a bid to attract visitors to the town.”