Community project brings empty Galashiels building back into use
A social enterprise that combines cycling and walking activities has bought one of the most prominent vacant properties in central Galashiels, bringing the site back into public use and strengthening the town’s regeneration efforts.
Hike & Bike Hub, established in 2022 by Angela and George Crow, completed the acquisition of the Douglas Bridge premises earlier this year with support from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). The building, which had suffered a collapsed ceiling and repeated vandalism, will become the organisation’s new base.
The move will allow Hike & Bike Hub to expand its core services – including bike hire, maintenance and training – and to increase the number of guided cycle rides and walking experiences offered to residents and visitors to the Borders. It is also expected to underpin work placements and training opportunities for young adults, including those who are neurodivergent.
- Support received: business planning assistance and a grant of £140,000 from SOSE.
- New capacity: larger workshop space and visitor-facing facilities for hire and guided activities.
- Community impact: regeneration of a town-centre eyesore and contribution to the local visitor economy.
“With support from SOSE, Hike & Bike's new base in Galashiels offers renewed opportunities not just to support the Borders' thriving biking scene and associated tourism, but to be a focal point and trusted partner for people and businesses across the town and wider region,” said Business Minister Tom Arthur after visiting the site.
Russel Griggs, who chairs SOSE, described the project as “a great example of the kind of ambitious, community-led enterprise that is making a real difference across the south of Scotland.” He highlighted the organisation’s role in promoting active lifestyles, supporting neurodiverse young people and contributing to local tourism and community regeneration.
Local regeneration in context
Galashiels has over recent years been the focus of a number of town-centre renewal projects led by local groups including Galashiels Town Team and the Business Improvement District. The return to use of a prominent empty building on Douglas Bridge contributes directly to those efforts, creating a visible sign of investment and activity in the heart of the town.
For Hike & Bike Hub, occupying a larger, refurbished premises is intended to be more than better workshop space. The organisation has worked to combine commercial services with social impact from the outset: hires and guided routes support the visitor economy, while on-site training and maintenance work provide pathways into employment and practical skills for local people.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Hike & Bike Hub |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Support | Business planning help and a £140,000 grant from SOSE |
| Location | Douglas Bridge, Galashiels town centre |
Those behind the enterprise say the hub will act as a focal point for active travel in the Borders and a partner for other local businesses that benefit from outdoor tourism. The expanded premises are intended to accommodate higher demand for bike maintenance and hire during the tourist season, and to provide a base for longer guided experiences that link into the wider network of walking and cycling routes across the region.
What this means for residents
Bringing the derelict building back into use removes a site that had blighted part of the town centre and replaces it with a community-facing facility that aims to deliver jobs, training and visitor spend. For residents, that is likely to mean improved access to services such as affordable bike repair, opportunities to take part in organised walks and rides, and the potential for local employers to develop skills through placements.
Hike & Bike Hub’s founders have placed particular emphasis on accessibility and inclusion in their work, and SOSE and ministers at Holyrood have pointed to the project as an example of how targeted support for community-led enterprises can assist both regeneration and economic diversification in the south of Scotland.
As the building is refurbished and new activities ramp up, the hub will be watched closely by other community organisations and businesses in Galashiels seeking to build on the town’s recent momentum.
