A 'fair smattering of positives' in the last week are highlighted by Business Editor Ian McConnell.

These include Center Parcs' big plans for the Scottish Borders, which will deliver massive economic and societal benefits to an area which has not had its troubles to seek since the tail end of the last century, having suffered terrible job losses in the textiles industry. There has also been good news on the Scottish economy and overseas travel.

There has been a fair smattering of positives to provide some pre-festive cheer amid the broader UK economic gloom.

Center Parcs’ huge investment in the Borders has been in focus in the last week.

The group’s £400 million plans for a holiday village near Hawick were approved unanimously last Monday by Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee.

This is another important milestone for a project which will deliver massive economic and societal benefits to an area which has not had its troubles to seek since the tail end of the last century, having suffered terrible job losses in the textiles industry.

It would be difficult to overstate the importance of Center Parcs’ investment to the Scottish Borders.

Crucially, it will enable many young people who want to stay in the area in which they grew up to do so by providing vital year-round employment and attract people to come and live in the Borders.

It was back in November last year that Center Parcs revealed its plans to open its first holiday village in Scotland. At that stage, I interviewed the holiday village group’s chief........

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