The world’s first ever Food & Drink Business Improvement Development (BID) group from East Lothian, Scotland’s Food & Drink County (SFDC), is delighted to announce Queen Margaret University (QMU) is to host the BID’s administrative functions within the Business Innovation Zone at its Musselburgh campus.

In a move that further extends Queen Margaret University’s (QMU) support of The East Lothian Food & Drink Business Improvement District (BID), the SFDC team look forward to working more closely with Queen Margaret University’s researchers and students, strengthening their existing relationship.

Backed by East Lothian Council, the BID, which is the first of its kind in the world, was established in 2016 to drive sector growth by sharing resources and providing economies of scale in marketing, sales and distribution to food and drink producers across the county. East Lothian is home to one of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries, Glenkinchie, and also produces renowned gin, beer and cider companies. With over 40 miles of coastline, the county boasts a plentiful supply of freshly landed fish and seafood and has seen success in less traditional produce including spices, oils, ice-cream and chocolate.

QMU is home to the Scottish Centre for Food Development & Innovation and has been an associate member and an active supporter of the BID since its inception. Other member companies are already engaged with students on marketing projects and have taken advantage of University expertise in food and drink innovation, research, product development and market testing.

Commenting on the latest move, Miriam Smith of QMU’s Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Unit said: “QMU hosts the office of East Lothian Council’s Business Gateway which, together with the Business Innovation Zone at the University encourages entrepreneurship and provides a catalyst for regional innovation-led economic growth. We are delighted to welcome the BID team on site where they will rub shoulders with students, researchers and academics in their field, who in turn will benefit from deepening connections with local businesses. It’s a win win and we look forward to developing our partnership with them.”

QMU is a national leader in knowledge exchange that addresses the fundamental relationships between food and health and the sustainability of the food chain in order to further the production of healthy, functional foods.

Chair of the BID Louise Elder, founder of Black & Gold Rapeseed Oil, said: “We are delighted to be basing the BID’s administrative functions within the Business Innovation Zone at Queen Margaret’s Musselburgh campus. These are exciting times for East Lothian and Scotland’s Food & Drink County suppliers as we work more closely with Queen Margaret University’s researchers and students, strengthening our existing relationship. It is an invaluable opportunity which will allow us to maximise the group’s exposure to QMU’s food and health expertise.”

For further information about Scotland’s Food & Drink County, please contact info@scotlandsfooddrinkcounty.com