A BELOVED Galloway ice cream company is moving its production to England, much to the disappointment of many residents.
Cream O’ Galloway announced on Tuesday that the company’s new owners, Brymor, would be moving production from its birth place near Gatehouse of Fleet to their site outside Masham in North Yorkshire.
Brymor purchased Cream O’ Galloway last year after the previous owners announced their intention to close the popular brand.
In a statement released online Brymor explained their latest decision, saying: “Over 2024, the manufacturing continued at the farm with no changes, which allowed us to understand the brand, customers, and manufacturing processes.
“It was evident from the outset that the manufacturing equipment and the whole site was tired and required significant new investment. Therefore, we are consolidating the manufacturing to the Brymor site.
“Brymor has over 40 years’ experience in ice cream manufacturing and can provide a wealth of knowledge to continue to produce this much loved range of real dairy ice cream. By manufacturing at Brymor the brand will benefit from newer, more efficient equipment, as well as benefiting from the sustainable and environmentally friendly resources that Brymor has implemented over the last four years.
“Our goal is to continue to produce a high quality, real dairy ice cream made on the farm, using creamy whole milk and high quality ingredients. We will continue to distribute the Cream O’ Galloway range from Ashland’s, Twynholm, the location of The Cocoabean Company, so that we can service our valued customers in Scotland, Northumberland and Cumbria.”
However, the move has angered some, with fans claiming that ‘it won’t be cream of Galloway any more if it’s made in Yorkshire’; another resident dubbed the move ‘business suicide’, whilst others are sadden by the brand’s departure from the region and for its staff.
Politicians have also been sharing their concerns and South Scotland MSP Emma Harper added: “Cream O’ Galloway has been a long established uniquely Dumfries and Galloway brand for many years. Therefore, I am concerned at the announcement from owners, Brymor, that it is closing production in Dumfries and Galloway and is moving operations to their North Yorkshire site.
“Of course, my immediate concern is around any jobs lost. We know that in rural areas, like in D and G, any job lost is felt more acutely than in urban areas of Scotland.
“I will be ensuring the Scottish Government’s PACES initiative is aware and I will do all I can to ensure impacted staff are supported moving forward. Again – this is a disappointing announcement and I will be closely following developments.”
