New focus on ability centre

The plan would be to run the Focus Centre and the Ability Centre – which was opened in 1992 on a 25-year lease to offer help and social benefit to physically disabled people – within it, as one unit with two parts.

The Ability Centre’s lease is up on January 1. 2018, and Galashiels Community Council chair Judith Cleghorn – who was on the steering committee that set it up – says she wants it to return to its original use.

Mrs Cleghorn, who also chairs the Focus Centre committee, said at the community council meeting last Wednesday: “This facility is needed. We have many lonely, disabled people in our area, and I believe that the ability centre should remain for its original purpose.

“We have been speaking to various experts who will help us with our business plan.”