Funding secures funding for new Cremery but no new Tescos

[Kintyre Forum News]

First Milk and the Scottish Government announced that the future of dairy and cheese production in Kintyre has been secured for the long-term following the further intervention of the Scottish Government.

Prolonged negotiations had been taking place with Tescos who have withdrawn from a partnership arrangement with First Milk to build a new store on the existing creamery site. Tesco were awarded planning permission subject to the building of a new creamery, however, having reviewed their figures since the initial proposals in 2008 have withdrawn.

First Milk’s chief executive Kate Allum says: ‘Throughout this process we have remained absolutely committed to our farmers on Kintyre, to the creamery and to the development of our world-famous Mull of Kintyre brand. With that in mind, we will invest in a brand new cheese-making facility at our existing site, aided by grant support from the Scottish Government.

‘We have met with farmers and employees in Campbeltown to inform them of these developments, and agreed to work as one team alongside the Scottish Government to develop a long term sustainable future for the dairy industry on Kintyre.

‘Finally, I want to put on record our thanks to Richard Lochhead and the Scottish Government. We greatly value their support over the last few years and their continuing commitment to this project.’

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in the Scottish Government says: ‘The Scottish dairy sector boasts some of the most efficient production systems in the world.

‘Despite these challenging times, we remain determined to lend our active support for this project, which will provide Kintyre dairy farmers with the state-of-the art processing facility that they deserve.’

Commenting on the announcement, local SNP Councillor John Semple said –

“This is a welcome break for hardworking Kintyre farmers who depend on the Campbeltown Creamery, these families have been held in suspense over the last few months, they can now look forward to surety of a market for their milk.

“Local traders who questioned the impact of a Tesco superstore on business can also breathe a sigh of relief, but it will be a disappointment for consumers who had hoped to benefit from a wider choice of goods and consumables. My hope is that Tesco will now look at their existing site for further development. This site sits within the safety zone of the Campbeltown gasworks and is only suitable for limited types of development.”

Leader of the SNP group on Argyll and Bute Council, Robert MacIntyre, a dairy farmer himself said –

“This is great news for Kintyre farmers and for Argyll and Bute. The Campbeltown creamery is a significant employer and the products are well known across the country putting this area on the food map of the UK. The commitment shown by the Scottish Government towards this key producer is credit to a government that understands industry and rurality.”

[WC1]

Pity the new creamery isn't going to be on a new site. I'd always thought the present site would have been ideal for the new Grammar School

[Ship called Dignity]

Pity the new creamery isn't going to be on a new site. I'd always thought the present site would have been ideal for the new Grammar School

Yes, totally agree on that one WC1. Would be a cracking site for a new school with the green field area behind too. I knew I said it somewhere on here but couldn't believe it was over two years ago! viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8854&start=15#p91471