By Giancarlo Rinaldi
South of Scotland reporter, BBC Scotland news website |
In the space of just a few weeks before Christmas, both Tesco and Asda opened large 24-hour stores in the town - which has a population of just 16,000.
 Asda and Tesco opened stores within the space of a few weeks |
It prompted council leaders to hail the "retail capital" status it enjoys in the Scottish Borders.
However, new surveys have warned that traders in similar situations across the country have seen business decline - laying the blame on the superstores.
Asda opened its doors on a new �20m development in November while an expanded Tesco - barely a minute's walk away - followed shortly after.
According to Galashiels businessman Phil Macari it will take time to see their impact.
"It is a mixed view - initially there wasn't any downturn to my business and it still looks OK," he said.
"But these stores are open 24 hours and there are a lot of people coming in in the early morning and at night time.
"It is early days - it will probably take until March or April to see what happens."
Both supermarkets have said that they want to work with local shops.
"We are not the big, bad giants," insisted Asda store manager Jane MacDonald when their doors opened.
 The two supermarkets are situated close to the town centre |
While Tesco said their larger premises would help create a more vibrant town centre.
Their role has been welcomed by the head of Scottish Borders Council who said it no longer meant Borderers would have to travel outside the region to do their shopping.
Galashiels Chamber of Trade Chairman David Houston also praised both stores for consulting locals before building their premises.
"We have been very lucky to be able to influence a lot of the decisions made," he said.
"The majority of folk were desperate to get these stores."
He admits that it will take time to see the full impact of the plans on smaller businesses.
"You can ask two people the same question and get two different answers," he said.
"But I don't think the big nasty thing that everybody thought would happen has happened yet.
"Whether it might happen in the next wee while remains to be seen."
He believes that because the stores are so close to the town centre the effects might be felt in places further afield.
The Co-op recently closed one of its stores in Melrose - although it blamed the decision on a one-way system rather than competition.
More central
"I think a big problem might be in the likes of Selkirk and Hawick," said Mr Houston.
"It seems to be that everybody wants to come to Gala because it is more central."
Not everyone in Galashiels, however, has decided that a 24-hour supermarkets is the place for them.
"Some of the older people have said it is far too big," said Mr Houston.
"They have been once or twice, seen it and thought 'I can't cope with this!'"
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We are not the big, bad giants
