Mark Pawsey, MP has welcomed a new report from Oxford Economics highlighting the positive economic impact of the British soft drinks industry and how it is a success story of manufacturing, retail and hospitality in Rugby and in the UK.
The report, ‘Local Impacts of the Soft Drinks Sector’ demonstrates how the industry makes an economic contribution worth £42 million in Rugby and sustains 765 jobs.
Overall activity across the UK has been estimated to sustain over 340,000 jobs, £5.6bn in wage and contribute over £11bn overall to the economy through manufacturing, supply chain and retail. Beyond this, soft drinks companies understand they play a significant role in the lives of their consumers and the wider communities they do business in.
Mark said:
“This report demonstrates how the soft drinks industry is supporting jobs in Rugby. It’s great to see what an important role they play in the local economy.”
Mark continued:
“I recently visited Britvic, based locally on the Glebe Farm Industrial Estate to learn about the apprenticeship schemes they are offering. I was very impressed by the positions they were offering and skills they were providing our young people with.”
Mark concluded:
“Locally, we are seeing growth and investment in a number of industries, of which the soft drinks sector is just one. I hope that we will continue to see companies from a range of industries choosing to invest right here in Rugby.”