Work to resume on £6.7m tapestry site but no word yet on impact of delay

A bird's-eye view of construction work under way on the Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre in Galashiels.

Stirling-based contractor Ogilvie Construction, which started the build in May 2019, pulled their workers off site at the start of the coronavirus lockdown 13 weeks ago.

They’ll return to the building on High Street and Channel Street, designed by Glasgow architectural firm Page Park, on Monday.

The visitor centre, to be managed by Live Borders, is due for completion this September and was scheduled to open six months later.

Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, centre director added: “Everyone who is working on the Great Tapestry of Scotland national exhibition centre and visitor experience is incredibly passionate about making it a huge success for the Borders. I’m delighted that the construction team will be returning to the site next week.

“Throughout lockdown we have been progressing some exciting plans to ensure that the centre is where Scotland’s story begins for many visitors when it opens. People from all over the world, who have seen our recent promotions, have reached out to us to ask when they can visit. We are fully committed to making the new attraction a wonderful experience so that people choose to visit us, and explore the wider area, time and time again.

“We have just launched our Reflections of a Nation art competition, so that we can record the thoughts of this important period in living history and continue the people’s story of Scotland so beautifully told by the Tapestry. It would be fantastic to receive some entries from Borderers showcasing their reflections at this time. Selected artwork from this competition will feature as part of a wider opening exhibit, which we will reveal more about later in the year.”

At present, the building’s roof and walls are all but complete and its internal metal decking and concrete flooring are also in place.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesman added: “In line with the Scottish Government’s lockdown restrictions, work shall recommence on the Tapestry site next week.

“Once we better understand when works on capital projects may fully commence again in line with the Scottish Government’s restrictions, we will be able to comment further on any implications of the delays.”