The owner of a Scots ice cream company which is moving production to England insists it is “totally committed” to the brand.
Brymor Ice Cream is moving production of the much-loved Cream o’ Galloway range more than 150-miles from Dumfries and Galloway to North Yorkshire.
Brymor owner Paul Hodgson insists the move will not have any impact on the firm’s brand. He said: “We took over in January 2024 and saved the business and brand.
“The business and brand will continue , however the restructure is based on having a sustainable business model.
“We remain totally committed to the Cream o’ Galloway brand.
“We are totally focused on keeping this brand, working within the local community, and making this a success.”
Wilma and David Finlay launched Cream o’ Galloway at Rainton near Gatehouse of Fleet in 1994 before selling to Brymor.
In announcing the move of production, Brymor claimed it was “evident from the outset” that the site was “tired and required significant new investment” – a claim Mr Hodgson re-iterated.
A spokesman added: “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.”
However, South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth branded the move “an utter betrayal”.
He added: “They will have been fully aware of the condition of the manufacturing equipment when they bought the site in Galloway.
“The news really does show how precarious businesses such as this are and why some of the recent messages coming out of Galloway attacking tourism are so dangerous.
“The visitor attraction element of Cream O’Galloway helped embed it at its current location. But unless we grow visitor numbers then it becomes more challenging for businesses such as this in the area.”
With production of the brand moving to North Yorkshire, distribution will be from The Cocoabean Company in Twynholm.
That will also house the popular ice cream parlour which was a key attraction at Cream o’ Galloway’s base at Rainton, near Gatehouse.
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Mr Hodgson said there had been no changes to the sales and distribution team. One production team leader has been made redundant with two other members of staff having found new jobs.
The same quality of cream – which Mr Hodgson said was sourced nationally – will be used although it would be unviable to use the exact same milk.
Packaging will be updated and the firm will be returning to the Royal Highland Show.
South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper said: “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.
“In their statement, Brymor – which purchased the Cream O’ Galloway site and brand following the previous owners selling due to Brexit impacts – state that they are moving production due to the ‘tired and outdated production equipment’. Of course, my immediate concern is around any jobs lost. We know that in rural areas, like in Dumfries and Galloway, 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.”