Local Conservatives Craig Hoy MSP and Cllr Euan Jardine have expressed their disappointment at Premier Inn’s decision to walk away from plans to build a hotel in Tweedbank as part of the Borders Gateway project.
The approved proposals for the development next to the Melrose roundabout included a 71-bedroom hotel along with a Costa drive-thru and BP petrol station but the hotel part of the development will not be going ahead following a decision by Premier Inn not to progress because of their belief that a hotel in Tweedbank is “currently unviable”.
Premier Inn has announced that they are working with a partner to bring Premier Inn in Galashiels.
Regional MSP Craig Hoy had this to say: “Obviously the decision to no longer go ahead with the Premier Inn hotel at in Tweedbank as part of the Borders Gateway project is disappointing. Anything that could threaten this project which will create local jobs is worrying. I’ve written to New Land Assets, the developers of the Borders Gateway project, to offer my support and seek reassurances that the project will go ahead and create new jobs in the Borders.
“I have heard about the need from the local tourism industry for local hotel beds and with Premier Inn stating that they are interested in a hotel in the Galashiels area that is some welcome news.”
Galashiels Councillor Euan Jardine said: “It is obviously disappointing news that Premier Inn have decided to pull out of the Borders Gateway initiative as it had lots of potential. However, I hope that we can get a large hotel in Galashiels in the near future. As Galashiels is a viable area with its central location and Edinburgh train link. The Borders is growing as a national and international tourist attraction and I would encourage hotel operators to capitalise on this.
