RSS Press releases

This Council recognises that the effects of COVID-19 are wide-ranging and will have impact our local economy. As before the pandemic, we are here to support all businesses and sectors, however we realise that some areas may be affected more than others.

Members of the Council’s Economy and Resources Committee (15 Sept) will consider a report on the Economic Recovery Plan for 2019-23 which includes a recommendation to take early action to ensure that support is made available to key organisations supporting the tourism and food & drink sectors. Officers are recommending to Elected Members that the provision of up to £40k in this financial year would help secure some stability and underpin efforts to support their sectors. A similar approach has already been taken to support the events sector.

We have always recognised food & drink production as Dumfries and Galloway’s largest, fastest growing and most valuable economic segment, with an annual turnover of £1.2 billion; accounting for 25% of all private sector economic activity. Our first Food & Drink Strategy was launched in late 2018 and sets an ambitious target to double the value of Dumfries and Galloway’s food & drink industry to £2.5 billion by 2030.

Spanning the full supply chain from field and sea to plate, the food and drink sector includes primary production, such as agriculture and fishing, through to small food producers, large scale food manufacturers and processors, farmers’ markets and food festivals, distributors, restaurants, cafes, visitor attractions, speciality retailers and a growing number of distilleries.

Rob Davidson, Chair of Economy and Resources Committee, said: “Part of our approach to economic recovery should be to support sectors such as food & drink and tourism, which have been particularly vulnerable to the effects of lockdown, but which are also well positioned to grow and develop if we get the support for them right. It has been an extremely difficult time, but we must act now to turn it into an opportunity for development and adaptation, which will help build economic resilience for the future.”

Archie Dryburgh, Vice Chair said: “Support to all businesses during the next six to nine-month period is critical. This is a huge and extremely important sector in our region. I have said previously with reference to the Food and Drink Strategy, that this was a hugely ambitious target, but I still believe it is achievable. We need this sector to boost tourism. Obviously we are limited in visitors to our region at the moment, but they will return, and it is our fantastic local food and drink industry, alongside our spectacular scenery, which will attract them back.”