Center Parcs Attends Hawick and Selkirk and District Community Councils
Leadership from Center Parcs were delighted to attend meetings of Hawick and Selkirk and District community councils this week to continue initial engagement on plans for a new village in the region.
The meetings, held on Monday 11th November, saw a significant turnout of community councillors, Scottish Borders Council members, and local residents keen to learn about the proposals and engage in a productive Q&A session.
Representing Center Parcs were CEO Colin McKinlay, Chief Corporate Officer Raj Singh-Dehal, and Project Manager David Stevenson, who attended both meetings to present the vision for the proposed village and gather early feedback.
Key topics raised included opportunities for local businesses and trades to benefit from the development, considerations around transport and active travel, and potential community links with Longford in Ireland, where the most recent Center Parcs opened in 2019.
Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, said:
“We were grateful for the opportunity to attend both the Hawick and Selkirk meetings so soon after announcing our plans for a new village. Although these plans are still in the very early stages, the questions raised reflected thoughtful engagement from the community, and we were pleased to address many of them, drawing on our experiences from our existing sites in England and Ireland.
“The enthusiasm from attendees was very encouraging. We thank everyone for offering us the chance to share our vision. Engaging with local communities is a priority for us, and this is just the first step. We look forward to meeting with additional community councils in the area and launching a broader engagement programme in 2025.”
Announced on 5th November, the proposed Center Parcs village in the Scottish Borders will mirror the concept of Center Parcs’ existing UK and Ireland locations, featuring approximately 700 lodges alongside a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, retail and dining options, the signature Aqua Sana Forest Spa, and the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise indoor water park.
During construction, the project is expected to create 750-800 jobs, with an emphasis on utilising regional contractors where possible. Once operational, the village will create around 1,200 permanent non-seasonal jobs, offering local residents diverse career opportunities, including management roles. Center Parcs is committed to supporting the local economy, and local suppliers will be prioritised wherever possible.
The estimated investment to bring this new village to life is between £350 million and £400 million.