Food businesses play a major role in Argyll and Bute’s economy.

Many have continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but some will be starting to open up over the coming days and weeks.

To provide support for restarting business operations, the council’s Environmental Health Team has put together guidance from a range of trusted sources that will assist business to provide a COVID-secure environment for staff and customers.

Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Economic Growth, said: ““Our food and drink industry, excluding agriculture, in Argyll and Bute employs around 4000 people locally, and turns over £313m annually.

“So it’s clear that this sector not only plays a huge part in our local economy, it also makes a valuable contribution to the wider Scottish economy.

“Our long standing tradition of whisky distilling now sits alongside new breweries and gin distilleries. We are seeing other exciting new food producers develop products that are exported world-wide, along with our world-class sea food.

“It’s vital that our businesses have the confidence to get back to work safely. This information, backed up with advice from our Environmental Health Team, will support COVID-secure planning.”

All the guidance can be found at: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/coronavirus/easing-lockdown-town-centres#food