BUSINESSES from throughout the county have come together to discuss the challenges they face.

The third meeting of the East Lothian Business Forum took place at Glenkinchie Distillery, near Pencaitland, and was attended by the county’s MSP, Paul McLennan.

Issues including energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis were highlighted during the meeting, which gave traders the chance to share their concerns.

The former leader of East Lothian Council set up the business forum with the aim of it meeting on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

Among those in attendance at the event were representatives from East Lothian Investments, East Lothian Food and Drink, Hargreaves, Taylor Wimpey, Glenkinchie Distillery, John Gilmour Butchers, Neart Na Gaoithe Offshore Windfarm, Dunbar Trades’ Association, Ross Developments, Dunmuir Hotel, NFUS, Charles River, East Lothian Council, East Lothian Works and Stantec – the local authority’s economic development consultant.

Mr McLennan said: “The forum was a chance for local business owners and operators to have their say about the pressures facing them in the current economic climate.

“We spoke of the need to understand the reality of what businesses are currently facing, with soaring energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis intersecting with the impact of trading post-Brexit and post-pandemic.

“It was clear from the conversations the issues being experienced are structural ones that small changes will not fully address.

“For example, businesses are struggling with recruitment as there is a significant labour shortage.

“They are also facing significant difficulties due to differing planning regulations in different administrations; local and national.

“The difference in priorities when it comes to major infrastructure investment was stated a number of times as an issue for forward planning.”