First Minister toasts South of Scotland Enterprise with visit to Borders brewery
Last updated 16th Apr 2025
It's estimated to have created and protected around 10,000 jobs in the region since it was set up, and helped distribute more than £26 million.
South of Scotland Enterprise, which was launched shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic, is this week celebrating its fifth anniversary.
And, to mark the milestone, First Minister John Swinney visited two of the local attractions to have received its support - including Durty Brewing in Innerleithen, where the MSP had a go at pulling a pint.
“Since its inception, South of Scotland Enterprise has had a truly transformative impact on businesses and communities across Southern Scotland," Mr Swinney stated.
“SOSE has worked tirelessly with local business owners, organisations and community groups to help their projects flourish.
“It has helped galvanise the region, ensuring that Southern Scotland remains an attractive place to visit, to live and to work.
“The Scottish Government is proud to support SOSE’s efforts and I look forward to seeing how the agency goes from strength to strength in the future.”
SOSE was set up by the Scottish Government in a bid to attract new jobs and investment in the area, following claims of years of under investment.
SOSE chairman, Professor Russel Griggs, said: “When we launched in April 2020, we made a promise to the people of the South of Scotland that we would be bold, different, ambitious and would listen.
“We are proud of the support we have provided – from Covid-19 support to creation and safeguarding of jobs to development of entrepreneurship and innovation – and believe it highlights the importance of the South having its own dedicated enterprise agency.
“Moving forward, we will ensure we are adaptive, forward thinking, innovative and responsive to the needs of our fantastic region.”
It's claimed every £1 invested by SOSE results in £5 investment in the region, equating to around £250m over five years.
SOSE also played pivotal role during Covid-19, distributing over £26million to a total of 626 businesses, social enterprises and community groups with analysis showing almost 90% that received support are still operating.
And inward investment enquiries have increased by over 400 per cent from businesses looking to invest in the region since it was launched.
READ MORE: World class bike racing set to return to the Scottish Borders this summer
Paul McGreal, from Durty Brewing, said: “SOSE support’s was essential in getting Durty Brewing off the ground, especially when circumstances changed around the ownership of our premises.
“Working with the team at SOSE has been great – the processes have been transparent, fair and flexible, and the efficiency the team work with is impressive.
“As a result of the support we have been able to create employment locally, add to the region’s tourist attractions, and, importantly, brew great beer.”
SOSE has supported Durty Brewing with funding of £63,600 to help purchase its current premises in Innerleithen, as well as providing business advice.
The brewery was inspired by the famous mountain biking trails of the Tweed Valley, and has very strong connections to cycling, events and outdoor activities.
SOSE Chief Executive Jane Morrison-Ross said: “In the time since SOSE was launched, we have all faced a series of unprecedented challenges – the Covid pandemic, the cost of living crisis and geopolitical instability.
“But throughout this turbulent period, the businesses and communities in our rural area of Scotland have shown a vision, ambition and determination.
“While there are continued challenges, there are also exciting opportunities ahead for our region, which is, coast to coast, perfectly placed in the middle of the UK.
“Our aim is to continue to work closely with partners, businesses and communities to seize these opportunities, and create the rural economic powerhouse we know the South of Scotland can be.”
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/