Plans unveiled to further boost Jedburgh town centre

The recently-formed Jedburgh Marketing and Tourism Group hopes to erect 12 lamp-post decorations around the Murray’s Green and bus station area of the town.

It comes after the same group unveiled display boards covering empty shop windows around the town last week in a bid to tidy up its appearance ahead of the tourist season.

Those new boards, and the proposed 7ft-high banners, are being paid for by grants as part of the £1.3m conservation area regeneration scheme approved last year and will be funded by part of a £10,000 grant which has already helped the small group of volunteers create and distribute 30,000 promotional leaflets around the town and further afield.

The banner plans are still to go before planning officers at Scottish Borders Council, but if approved will be installed in sets of four at Abbey Place, the Canongate car park and the foot of High Street. They will advertise events such as the Callant’s Festival, Riverside Rock, the Border Rally and the town’s hand ba’ and sevens events and also feature the town’s website address.

The plans received backing from Jedburgh Community Council at its meeting this week.

“It’s a great idea,” chairman Rory Stewart said.

“When you go to other places and you see the advertising that they are doing, it can only be a good thing for Jedburgh.

“The window displays are excellent too.

“I would ideally like to see the shops filled, obviously, but until we get to that stage, these are a welcome addition to the High Street.”