Thursday October 1st 2026
left to right – Raj Singh-Dehal, Chief Corporate Officer, Center Parcs; Colin McKinlay, Chief Executive Officer, Center Parcs; Cathryn Petchey, Chief People Officer, Center Parcs; Minister for Business and Fair Work, Tom Arthur MSP and Rachael Hamilton MSP
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Center Parcs Scottish Borders is creating jobs and economic opportunities across the region as construction progresses on the £450 million development, with contracts already awarded to Scottish companies and major infrastructure works now underway.
At an event held at the Scottish Parliament last night (Wednesday 30 September), kindly sponsored by Rachael Hamilton MSP, Center Parcs presented an update on the Scottish Borders village, which is due to open in summer 2029. Minister for Business and Fair Work, Tom Arthur MSP made the closing remarks at the event.
1,200 permanent jobs are expected to be created once the village becomes operational, alongside further employment opportunities through local and regional supply chains.
Large-scale recruitment is expected to begin in 2028, however, work to develop the future workforce is already underway. Center Parcs is working with local schools, Borders College and employability organisations to understand future skills requirements and ensure local people are prepared to access the opportunities being created. Career fairs and community recruitment events will also be held as the recruitment programme accelerates.
The positions at Center Parcs will be permanent roles, rather than seasonal employment or zero-hours contracts, and around half of the future workforce is expected to be made up of young people, with opportunities spanning a wide range of areas including housekeeping, leisure, food & beverage, beauty therapy, engineering and management positions.
Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, said: “This project is moving from aspiration to reality as the project gathers pace towards opening in 2029. Construction is underway, Scottish businesses are already delivering contracts, and preparations have begun for the 1,200 permanent jobs the village will create.
“The economic benefits are already being felt across the Scottish Borders, with further major contracts to come. We want to maximise opportunities for local businesses, suppliers and communities, building long-term partnerships across the Borders and Scotland whilst ensuring the benefits of Center Parcs are felt as widely as possible.”
Construction on site is visibly progressing and already generating economic activity. The new junction on the A7 has been completed, the entrance road is being surfaced, and car park works are underway. The development is expected to contribute approximately £15 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Scottish Borders economy and £212 million to the Scottish economy during the construction phase.
Several Scottish businesses have already secured contracts on the project including D.E. Fencing, based in St Boswells, which is installing the village perimeter fencing and working with Center Parcs to incorporate measures supporting local wildlife movement. RJ McLeod has been delivering enabling works, including the new entrance road and key highway improvements, connecting the development safely to the surrounding road network. Further major contracts are expected to be awarded over the coming months, including packages covering the construction of lodges and central buildings.
Center Parcs’ procurement programme will formally accelerate in 2027 with Meet the Buyer events being held in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, allowing businesses an opportunity to understand procurement requirements and prepare for future contracts.
Rachael Hamilton MSP, sponsoring the event at the Scottish Parliament, said: “It is fantastic to see the Center Parcs development gathering pace and already creating opportunities for people and businesses across the Scottish Borders.
“This exciting investment will bring 1,200 jobs and help local businesses to grow and expand.
“I look forward to seeing local communities and our economy continue to benefit as this project progresses.”
Hundreds of thousands of trees, shrubs and bushes will be planted over the coming years to create a new forest landscape, while retaining important views across the surrounding countryside. The development will also include a Heritage and Nature Centre celebrating the history and culture of the Scottish Borders.
The economic impact will continue once the Scottish Borders village is operational. Independent analysis commissioned by Center Parcs estimates that the Scottish Borders village will contribute approximately £75 million annually to the Scottish Borders economy and £87 million across Scotland.
The project is also expected to bring significant additional visitor spending to the region. Center Parcs estimates that around 356,000 people will visit the village each year, generating an estimated £2.6 million in additional annual visitor spending.
Minister for Business and Fair Work Tom Arthur MSP, speaking at the event, said: “Center Parcs Scottish Borders is a nationally significant project that is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in people and in the long-term economic success of the South of Scotland.
“This project is significant because of what it will mean for people and places right across the region. The development represents a major opportunity to strengthen regional supply chains, to support local businesses, and create high-quality jobs. Crucially, it will create opportunities that will allow young people to build their careers and futures locally.
“Realising the full potential of this development will require continued collaboration and the Scottish Government is committed to working alongside Centre Parcs, South of Scotland Enterprise and other key partners to ensure we maximise the benefits of this enormous opportunity for people across the region and country.”
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