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Supporting economic growth
20/08/2010
Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism visited businesses and communities in South Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders today to discuss economic development and growth opportunities in the region.
Mr Mather hosted an engagement event bringing together key private and public sector players to discuss issues central to economic growth in the South of Scotland.
The event, at Biggar Municipal Hall, is one of four visits the Minister made to businesses, communities and projects today as he completed his summer programme of events across Scotland.
Following the engagement session, Mr Mather headed to Biggar Corn Exchange, where a refurbishment programme supported by £197,000 from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund, is almost complete.
Next, Mr Mather's programme took him to Skirling House - a 5-star guest house whose owners Bob and Isobel Hunter are supporting the year-long focus on Scotland's iconic food and drink by growing, cooking and serving a range of authentic home-grown and local produce. While there, the Minister met representatives of VisitLanarkshire.com to discuss local collaboration aimed at increasing the value of tourism to the area.
The day concluded with a visit to Holland and Sherry in Peebles, one of the world's oldest established luxury cloth suppliers, which has been supported by the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service to make efficiency improvements resulting in £285,000 of added value to the company.
Mr Mather said:
"The South of Scotland is playing an important role in supporting Scotland's recovery, and these visits presented a great opportunity to help local people work together to achieve the economic growth we all want for the region. The engagement session gave local players a forum to share ideas, innovate and collaborate in pursuit of this shared goal.
"It was good to see how the Corn Exchange project is taking shape. And it was fantastic to see how the Hunters at Skirling House are focusing on food and drink to support their business development and ensure their guests have the best possible time.
"At Holland and Sherry I saw first hand how new, more efficient ways of working are helping the company to satisfy increasing customer demand and enhancing this company's well-deserved reputation as one of the world's best cloth merchants.
"This type of visit emphasises the importance of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, which has helped companies across Scotland adapt to the tough recent times and now take full advantage of the recovery underway. Doubling the size and reach of SMAS was a key part of our comprehensive economic recovery plan, and the success of companies like Hollland and Sherry are a practical example of that decisive action bearing fruit."