BONMARCHÉ in Galashiels is set to close next week and joins the growing list of businesses leaving the town's high street.

In 2019, the women's clothing brand warned of losses as its share prices dropped by 14 per cent.

During the summer Bonmarché was bought out by Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks boss, Philip Day, in a £5.7million rescue bid.

This wasn't enough to save the business however, as bosses appointed administrators in October as the company couldn't meet its financial obligations.

Last year Greggs moved its Channel Street shop to Market Street, leaving another empty unit, and Burton and Dorothy Perkins, both part of the Arcadia group, also closed.

Councillor Euan Jardine, Executive Member for Culture & Sport, told us: "It is very disappointing news that these shops are closing.

"I have personally written to many established retailers in the hope that they see Galashiels as a viable option.

"Unfortunately, you cannot drag people into a vacant property but we need to try and promote Galashiels as somewhere worth investing.

"In many other aspects of the town centre, Scottish Borders Council alongside Energise Galashiels are being very proactive in trying to find other alternatives and resolutions for this issue.

"Businesses also need help from the Scottish Government in terms of rates relief. The internet has changed shopping forever so for our high streets to survive we need to re-evaluate how we operate to mitigate failure going forward."

Despite requests for a response from Bonmarché, no comment was given to the Border Telegraph at the time of going to print.