Townsfolk credited with making Melrose one of the best places in country to live

Melrose will feature in the 2020 version of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, due to be published this weekend.

It’s the second time the town had made the prestigious list, having topped it in 2018.

And its reappearance in the list comes as no surprise to William Windram, the chair of the town’s community council, who said he was delighted with the spotlight being shone on Melrose once again.

“I am not surprised and am delighted that Melrose has been recognised as an attractive place to live and visit.

“Despite the current circumstances the community spirit in Melrose is resilient and we look forward to normality returning soon when people can come again and enjoy visiting and living here.”

The supplement assesses a wide range of factors, from jobs, schools and broadband speed to culture, community spirit and local shops, in order to compile the definitive top locations to live.

“The Melrose in Bloom volunteers have worked very hard to get the High Street and town centre looking very attractive,” Mr Windram added. “Shop keepers, too, work very hard to provide a good range or service and products as do our hotels and restaurants.

“Melrose has a good service, good produce and an attractive town centre.

“You would be hard pushed to find a town the same size as Melrose anywhere else that has a fishmonger, two butchers, a baker and a greengrocer. All these traditional shops are still available in Melrose.

“People here really do work hard to give a good service.

“We’re really fortunate to also have good sporting facilities for tennis, bowls, fishing, golf, walking and cycling.

“It’s a safe and accessible place. I think being near the train line is what brought us up the ranking first time around.”

Read about the time Melrose topped the list in 2018 here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/12-reasons-why-melrose-best-place-live-scotland-319315

The guide also uses robust and exclusive statistics, including up-to-date house prices, and suggests the average property price in Melrose is £210,000, with the average rent at £595 per month.

The Sunday Times Home editor Helen Davies said: “Never has where you live felt more important. This year we have, along with house prices, air quality, good schools and access to green spaces, championed locations that have showcased great community spirit.

“The feeling of involvement in and concern for one’s local community is being challenged - and celebrated - as never before. We wish everyone well wherever they live.”

The full reveal comes in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, out this Sunday, which names Leith in Edinburgh as the overall winner.

You can read it online here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/edinburgh-leith-best-places-to-live-in-the-uk-2020-cqc2fjtz2

Other towns which made the list include, Dunblane, Dundee, North Berwick and Elie, with Melrose placing eight in the top ten list.