Jobs summit date fixed for Langholm

The event will be held at The Eskdale Hotel on Wednesday December 21 and has been organised by Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell following the closure of Border Fine Arts Factory, the potential closure of the Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser and a possible re-location by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill to Carlisle.
Mr Mundell said: “I am pleased that this vital summit is to be held in Langholm before Christmas as it is important we come up with a plan that will sustain the area’s economy in the coming years as soon as possible.”
He added: “With job losses in recent months, it is very important that everyone works together in order to deliver jobs and investment for Langholm and Eskdale going forward.
“That’s why I am working closely with David Stevenson as well as Tom Millar of the Langholm Initiative who have both confirmed they will be attending.
Mr Mundell says the meeting will also be attended by representatives from Scottish Enterprise, the community council and Buccleuch Estates, and that he is liaising directly with Ross Martin of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry on what will be discussed at the meeting.
He said: “It’s also been indicated that key players from Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Scottish Government and the NHS will be in attendance, so I am very hopeful the summit will find agreement on an economic plan for the area.”
Mr Mundell added: “The job losses have been a huge blow to the area and we need to ensure that the investment and opportunities are readily available to allow Langholm and the surrounding communities to prosper.”