McAlpine secures Ministerial meeting to move forward Waulkmill plan
MSP Joan McAlpine has secured a meeting with Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse to help support Langholm based small busines Waulkmill Cider’s distillery plan.
Last month, the MSP met with local business Waulkmill Cider to discuss plans to create Scotland’s first apple cider brandy distillery in Langholm.
The distillery has been a long term goal for the business, and steady growth over the past few years means plans are now coming to fruition.
Joan said that such an innovative plan could be ‘just what Langholm needs’ at a time where other businesses, such as the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, are threatening to pull out. She wrote to the Business Minister who was keen to meet as soon as possible to explore what support the Scottish Government could provide.
Commenting, the MSP said:
“I’m delighted the Minister was so quick off the mark to arrange a meeting to see what support he can offer Waulkmill. Being from the south of Scotland himself I’m sure he can see the potential a distillery could bring to a town like Langholm.
“Given the recent job losses in the town, it is essential that we support any and all job creating enterprises in Langholm.
“A distillery would be particularly welcome because food tourism is a growth industry and is something that the south of Scotland, particularly Dumfries and Galloway, excels in.”
Joan has been helping Waulkmill to explore any and all support to enable the distillery to start production as soon as possible. Waulkmill is currently working with DG Food and Drink as well as Dumfries and Galloway Council to support the growth of the business.
Joan said:
“Langholm needs a vision for a successful future and I’m fully committed to supporting local businesses in the town. I’ll do everything in my power to help Waulkmill move this fantastic vision forward and I think this Ministerial meeting will be a solid first step.”
