JACKSON Carlaw, the interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, was joined by MSP Michelle Ballantyne on a visit to Holland and Sherry in Peebles last week.

During their visit to the Borders, the MSPs were given a tour of the premises and spoke to staff about their roles in the firm and how businesses like Holland and Sherry have helped provide employment opportunities and training to young people in the area.

The company, which specialises in sourcing fabrics and creating designs used by tailors across the world, supplies material to Saville Row and Jermyn Street.

Mr Carlaw was impressed by the work being done by the Borders business. He said: “Having operated out of Peebles for over 40 years this truly is a business which puts the borders on the map.

“It was great to meet some of the many staff employed by Holland and Sherry and hear about how the textiles industry is continually evolving.”

Mrs Ballantyne was similarly effusive in her praise and thinks that other businesses should be looking to emulate the company. She said: “I always feel a strong sense of community when I visit businesses with a local focus like Holland and Sherry.

“Many of the staff here are locals and have been trained by the firm.

“This is exactly the kind of thing we should be encouraging for businesses in the Borders and across Scotland.

“Speaking to local businesses like Holland and Sherry gives us an idea of the kinds of challenges that firms are facing and how best politicians can help create employment and growth for Scotland.”