Engagement Tour

People of South encouraged to take part in second phase of engagement tour

The second phase of South of Scotland Enterprise’s engagement tour begins next month.

The 14 engagement sessions across the region are open to anyone who lives, works or has an interest in the South of Scotland, starting in Langholm on Tuesday 1 February.

Dates and locations for phase two

Four of the sessions – in Newton Stewart, Galashiels, Peebles and a virtual session – have been moved back from January to March due to the previous COVID-19 restrictions.

Those looking to attend a phase two session should book in advance. 

  • Tuesday 1 February – Langholm, Buccleuch Centre
  • Wednesday 2 February - Annan, Corner House Hotel
  • Tuesday 8 February – Kelso, Rugby Club
  • Wednesday 9 February – Duns, A Heart for Duns
  • Thursday 10 February – Selkirk, Ettrick Riverside
  • Tuesday 22 February – Moffat, Town Hall
  • Wednesday 23 February – Whithorn, South Macars Community Centre
  • Monday 28 February – New Galloway, Catstrand
  • Tuesday 1 March – Castle Douglas, Community Centre
  • Wednesday 2 March – Gatehouse of Fleet, Mill on the Fleet
  • Monday 7 March – online event
  • Wednesday 9 March – Newton Stewart, Creebridge House Hotel
  • Monday 14 March – Galashiels, Kingsknowes Hotel
  • Tuesday 15 March – Peebles, The Hydro

What safety measures are in place?

  • As was the case in phase one, attendee safety will remain paramount, with measures in place across all venues used in phase two of the SOSE engagement tour to help minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
  • This includes all those due to attend an engagement session being asked to take a lateral flow test beforehand. If you test positive, please stay at home, isolate and follow the latest NHS Scotland guidance.
  • Face masks must be worn inside each venue, with sanitation points available and social distancing requirements followed.
  • SOSE will continually review its arrangements for phase two, in line with any new Scottish Government COVID-19 guidance.

How did phase one of the tour go?

Over 200 people took part in the 12 sessions held during the first phase of the engagement tour, which ran during November and December 2021.

The sessions present local businesses, social enterprises, community groups, other organisations and members of the public in the South of Scotland the opportunity to give their views on what SOSE’s future priorities should be for the region’s economy.

The feedback gained from the first round of sessions has been invaluable and will help SOSE to shape its first ever three-year Action Plan – the vital strategy which will set out its priorities and ambitions for the South of Scotland.

Each event is hosted by our Chair, Professor Russel Griggs, and Chief Executive, Jane Morrison-Ross.

Topics that have been discussed so far include infrastructure and connectivity, natural capital, Net Zero, business support, land use and importance of the region’s communities.

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive

“The first phase of the engagement tour presented us with the opportunity to take the time to listen to a wealth of different people, from various communities and backgrounds, on a huge range of issues, which will influence our first ever Action Plan.

“I am delighted we are now back for the second phase of the tour and have managed to re-schedule dates in Newton Stewart, Galashiels and Peebles. I look forward to meeting many more people across the South who live, work and care about the future of our region during the second phase.”

Professor Russel Griggs OBE, Chair

“We were very pleased with the attendance we had in the first stage of our engagement tour.

“In the second phase, we hope to hear from even more people, businesses and community groups in the 13 towns and villages we are yet to visit – and we encourage anyone who cannot attend in person to take advantage of our second online session too.”