LEADER Projects Round 8

Innovation Area ‘Diverse and Sustainable Rural Businesses’

Peebles Business Improvement District

Project to conduct in-depth research with local businesses and organisations in order to create a Business Plan to adopt Business Improvement District status in Peebles. (£20,000)

Cheviot Futures

Project which will develop long term resilience measures for the environment, economy and local community against the impacts of a changing climate. The geography covered focuses on the Cheviot Hills and in particular the Northern river catchments (Till, Glen, Bowmont, Breamish, Wooler Water and the Teviot catchment).  This is a cross-border project which will work in both North Northumberland and the Scottish Borders (£112,625).

St Cuthberts Way

Joint project with Northumberland Uplands and Northumberland Lowlands and Coastal LEADER groups to develop and market the historic pilgrimage route of St Cuthberts Way which runs through both regions to the coast at Holy Island (£30,000).

Innovation Area ‘Enhanced Natural, Built and Cultural Environment’

Paxton Before the House

Archaeology project focussed on assisting community groups around Paxton House to uncover and interpret ‘post Agricultural’ era finds (£26,750).

Innovation Area ‘Inclusive Rural Economy’

Creative Pathways

Training scheme which will target young people who are unemployed and most at risk of disconnecting from job opportunities. Products made from recycled goods will be sold in a retail unit in Galashiels, with participants earning a proportion of the sales price (£120,114).

Innovation Area ‘Distinctive Local Products’

Newcastleton Marketing Initiatives

This project seeks to build on work to date developing Newcastleton as a high class destination for visitors, in particular mountain bikers and walkers.   The community now wishes to improve their marketing developing a web site, creating publicity materials which will enable them to attend trade shows and to support events which will increase visitor numbers (£8,500).