An opportunity has arisen for Hike & Bike Hub to purchase a currently empty building in Galashiels town centre (Unit 7, 2 Douglas Bridge). The intention is to use the ground floor for our existing core activities, with a bigger workshop / training area, a community meeting room/area and greater storage area for our fleet bikes. The ground floor redevelopment could potentially include a wheelchair-accessible, en-suite, bedroom for visitors to the area.
The first-floor plan is for conversion into bunkhouse-style lodging, featuring three rooms that can each accommodate up to four guests. There will be dedicated facilities for walkers / cyclists on site, but occupancy will not be restricted to such users. It will also be suitable as affordable family accommodation. With limited catering facilities in the rooms, guests will be signposted to use the local restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops.
We have had great support from all our members, users, local community, visitors and partner organisations since we started in February 2023 and as a result, we have outgrown our current space and need larger premises. Owning our own building will allow us to continue to deliver our core services whilst providing us with additional revenue generating opportunities, and this additional income will allow us to continue to deliver our core services and contribute to our longer-term viability.
Provision of visitor accommodation and re-purposing a currently empty building hits key objectives of the Galashiels Local Place Plan (LPP) 61112 Galashiels LPPÂ developed by the Town Team, of which we have been members since its inception in 2023.
Expansion of Hike & Bike Hub is a specific proposal within the LPP which has been selected by the Town Team for inclusion in the Borderlands Town Investment Plan and this is a key step forwards in the process of securing Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal funding via their Place Programme. Timelines for progression of the project are dependent on funding and acquisition of the building.
The seller has accepted our offer to buy the building, and everyone involved is aiming to complete the transaction by 30 January 2026. Ther are a few ducks to line up between now and then to make it happen but we are working hard to make sure that they do!
