Scottish Borders venue gets a rebrand to drive events to the region

A leading venue in the Scottish Borders has been rebranded as part of a bid to attract additional events to the region.

The Border Union Showground in Kelso, which is owned and run by the Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS), will now be known as the Borders Events Centre (BEC) as part of a long-term plan by the Society to ‘take further advantage of the potential provided by the UK’s £42.3 billion* event industry’.

The venue is located just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and 90 minutes from Newcastle and Carlisle. It comprises a 1,000 sqm multi-purpose event space, Springwood Pavilion, set in 40 acres of beautifully maintained parkland, providing a picturesque backdrop for a range of indoor and outdoor events.

As well as hosting large-scale agricultural events including the Border Union Show and the Border Union Kelso Ram Sales, the Borders Events Centre also hosts numerous additional events including the Borders Art Fair, vehicle rallies, award-ceremonies, balls, conferences, weddings, fairs, exhibitions, product launches and the Society’s Championship Dog Show.

A new brand and dedicated website for the Borders Events Centre have been created, with a vibrant, modern and engaging look. New event management computer systems and high-speed fibre connectivity have been introduced and a new Sales and Events Planner role has been created with event specialist, Charlotte Newton, appointed to drive sales.

Mags Clark, Executive Director, Border Union Agricultural Society, said: “The UK events industry is booming, with today’s consumers seeking out exciting experiences to enrich their leisure time and companies searching for creative and engaging ways to connect with current and potential customers. Our new name demonstrates that we’re not simply a venue for agricultural events but can also accommodate a huge variety of consumer and business events in a beautiful, accessible location with a highly flexible space that can compete with the very best Scotland has to offer.”

In addition to a picturesque, rural location just a five-minute walk from the historic cobbled market town of Kelso, the Borders Events Centre’s facilities include a 1,000 sqm multi-purpose pavilion that can be divided for smaller events or break-out groups. It has excellent WiFi connections, houses a professional kitchen and can host 1,000 people seated theatre-style, 500 banquet-style and receptions for up to 650 guests. High ceilings and roller doors allow for large vehicle and equipment product launches. Externally, the site boasts a tarmac road system, ample parking plus camping and caravan facilities as well as shower and toilet blocks. The venue also offers customer support through an experienced event team.

*Source 2018 Eventbrite Pulse Report