BOSSES at Scottish Borders Council have confirmed that the new Tapestry building in Galashiels is running a year late.

And the attraction won't open for at least another 18 months.

The controversial £6.7 million project has been championed as a catalyst for regenerating the fortunes of Galashiels town centre.

And early indicators, when the plans were first announced two years ago, stated the attraction would open at the start of 2020.

Over the past 18 months business marketing attempts to draw high street names to Galashiels have revolved around the opening of the Great Tapestry of Scotland centre, which the local authority's consultants claims will attract 50,000 visitors to the town each year.

But disputes over contracts had led to an early delay in on-site work starting with the scheduled opening pushed back to next summer.

And this week project bosses have confirmed that the doors won't now open until April, 2021.

Members of the local authority's ruling executive will be briefed on the set-backs at their meeting next Tuesday.

We contacted Scottish Borders Council more than a week ago asking for a statement regarding the reasons behind the delays.

But this week we were only issued with a press release announcement that former Dragons' Den contestant Sandy Maxwell-Forbes has been appointed as the centre's director.

A spokesman did tell us: "While the building works are expected to be completed in September 2020, the decision has been made to wait until spring 2021 in order to capitalise on the peak tourism season."

Stirling-based contractor Ogilvie Construction is close to completing steel structure of the new building on the site at the top Channel Street.

And the construction of the roof and external walls are due to follow over Christmas and into the new year.

Work will also start next year on converting the adjacent former Post Office into part of the Tapestry complex, which will include retail areas, a café, educational and touring exhibition space.

As well as attracting up to 50,000 visitors each year, the new centre is expected to create 16 jobs and an estimated £900,000 of extra spending each year for the local economy.

The local authority's business spokesman, councillor Mark Rowley, said: “The Great Tapestry of Scotland will not only create a national destination visitor attraction and significant community facility in the Borders in 2021, it is also playing a key role in the regeneration of Galashiels.

“With the Borders Railway on its doorstep, we also have the prospect of the Tapestry attracting thousands of visitors from Edinburgh to discover the wider Borders.”

Ms Maxwell-Forbes has been appointed as the centre's director.

As well as appearing on Dragons' Den to pitch for investment in a dog-care business, she has worked in the global technology, oil and gas and business tourism sectors.

She said: “I see my role as critical to ensuring we get this 100 percent correct - I will be reaching out to community groups, local businesses, regional organisations, as well as the stitchers, to maximise opportunities for partnership and collaboration.”