Kelso’s square made even more bootiful

The display, which includes two specially-commissioned 4ft by 3ft blue boots, brimming with seasonal plants, is part of the Visit Kelso s Bordering on Bootiful campaign, and aims to encourage locals and visitors to stay and shop local this summer.

It’s hoped that by placing the installation in The Square – winner of the Great British High Street Rising Star Scotland and UK Awards in 2019 – will help showcase the town centre and the businesses located in and around the area.

The campaign, which is being made possible thanks to a Scotland’s Towns Partnership Towns and BIDS Resilience and Recovery Fund award, is a great opportunity for local businesses.

Tina Newton, chairperson of Visit Kelso, said: “We know how difficult this past year has been for businesses and our community. This campaign is a great way for businesses to showcase themselves and we hope it will boost our community’s morale after a long winter and lockdown.”

To engage the entire local community with the campaign, Visit Kelso will also be running three competitions.

The first will revolve around the floral installation in The Square and will require participants to take the most original photo with the display.

Then, businesses, community groups, schools and residents are being invited to create their own ‘bootiful’ display using old footwear, and send in a photograph of their work for judging.

Tina explained: “Anyone can take part in this competition, being as creative as the like – in fact, we could love to see old footwear decorated using lots of bold colours.”

The last competition will involve a treasure hunt for children, whose goal will be to find the different types of footwear displayed in all the shop windows around the town.

The winners of each competition will be awarded prize vouchers, also aimed at encouraging the recipients to shop local and support Kelso businesses.

Tina said: “We cannot wait to see the town filled with colourful displays, and people wandering around our town. We are confident that this campaign will be a great success and we hope to run more of them in the future.”

Competition terms and conditions can be found on the Visit Kelso website.