The Galashiels Common Good Fund Sub Committee met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss a land use request for Bank Street Gardens. The committee approved the request for BID for Galashiels to host a Christmas market, lights switch-on, and parade.

Christmas Market and Events at Bank Street Gardens

The committee considered a request from BID for Galashiels to use Bank Street Gardens to host a Christmas market, lights switch-on, and parade on 21 November 2026. The event, scheduled to run from 10:00 to 17:00, was supported by Councillor Fay Sinclair, who noted that last year's event was a success and welcomed the plans for this year. Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of the Scottish Borders Council, declared an interest as he sat on the BID board and therefore left the meeting for this item. The remaining members agreed with Councillor Sinclair's comments and approved the request. The event plans included a Christmas market with 12 stalls, a wreath-making event, Santa's Mail, a nativity performance by St Peter's Church, and a Christmas tree as a focal point for the switch-on. Entertainment was also planned, including street theatre, a town band, and a pipe band. The BID for Galashiels provided a detailed event outline, including a site map and risk assessments, which covered potential hazards such as slips, trips, falls, traffic, weather, first aid provision, crowd management, and electrical issues. The risk assessment highlighted existing control measures and identified further actions where necessary. The public liability insurance for BID for Galashiels was confirmed to be £5,000,000.

The next meeting of the Galashiels Common Good Fund Sub Committee was scheduled for 16 March 2027.