Two businesses which were bought by the local community in Dunbar
after receiving Scottish Government funding have been praised for
their entrepreneurial initiative by First Minister , who is in East Lothian for
the 52nd Travelling Cabinet.
The First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs heard how local residents
launched successful community shares offers to raise finance for
the grocery store Community Carrot and the Community Bakery to
bring people together and help regenerate the town’s High Street.
The walk along the High Street also included another community
project, the Ridge. Volunteers who receive training through the
organisation described how they have turned wasteland around
Dunbar into community garden spaces. All three initiatives have
received support from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Land
Fund.
Other visits which took place included:
- Deputy First Minister at Amisfield Walled Garden,
restored and maintained by members of the local community
- Health Secretary at East Lothian
Community Hospital’s new orthopaedic rehabilitation ward
- Culture Secretary at Tantallon Castle
And, on Wednesday, Transport Minister will open East Linton Train
Station, which is bringing new transport links to the community.
First Minister said:
“We are committed to hearing from people across the country to
help inform decision making and the projects I visited today
exemplify the type of community empowerment this Government is
encouraging in Scotland.
“Through awards from the Scottish Government’s Scottish
Land Fund totalling almost £400,000, these three
initiatives have demonstrated how local people can make a
positive impact to local employment and their local economy.
“East Lothian is a beautiful part of Scotland with tremendous
community spirit and I look forward to hearing more about
people's priorities during the public discussion in Haddington
this afternoon.”
Background
Find out more about the Scottish Government’s Scottish Land Fund.
The Dunbar Community Bakery
received £124,560 (November 2022) through the Scottish Land Fund.
The Community Carrot received
£119,200 (May 2019). The Ridge received two
awards of £49,900 (March 2022) and £98,548 (August 2022).
List of visits not previously mentioned:
Wellbeing Economy Secretary – Archerfield House
Education Secretary – Wallyford Learning Campus
Social Justice Secretary – Our Community
Kitchen
Circular Economy Minister – Kinwegar Recycling Centre
Community Safety Minister – East Lothian Community
Action Team
Parliamentary Business Minister – Knox Academy
