CYCLISTS across Peeblesshire can mark a date in their dairies, as next year's Tour O The Borders has been announced.

The Tesco Bank Tour O The Borders, which starts and finishes in Peebles, will return to the town on Sunday 3rd September 2017 - and is set to bring over 2,000 riders to the area,

Returning for its sixth year, the new date has followed extensive discussion with Scottish Borders Council, emergency services and local residents, aimed at reducing inconvenience to businesses and communities around the route.
The new date will also give those riders with young families the opportunity to take part in the event outside the school holidays. 

With riders from all over Britain taking on the challenging route, the event has established itself as one of the best closed road sportives in the UK. Last year, the Tesco Bank Tour O The Borders, which is the largest mass participation sports event in the region, brought over £500,000 in to the area, and forms a cornerstone in the Scottish Borders Council event strategy.

Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “This is a positive development for this important event, which attracts thousands of people to the region from all over the country, and which is looking to continue to grow. The move to September will hopefully result in extending the main tourist season for local businesses and further increase the positive economic impact of the Tesco Bank Tour O The Borders.”

Organised by Peebles-based events company Hillside Outside Ltd, director Neil Dalgleish said: “We believe the new date will significantly reduce the inconvenience caused by the road closures associated with the event, but of course there will still be problems, and even the shortest road closures cause inconvenience.

“We'd like to thank all the local residents who have given us support and we will continue to work with any businesses who are affected by the closed roads. Hopefully the event can grow even stronger now, bringing further business and jobs to the Borders.”

Community Investment Manager for Tesco Bank, Adele Mills said: “Together with Scottish Borders Council we are delighted to announce the next years’ date. We’d also like to thank the local residents and businesses who come together to support the event and help to provide a fabulous experience for the thousands of riders who come to Peebles.”

To register, visit: www.tourotheborders.com.