Major shop local first campaign launched

A MAJOR new campaign urging people to shop local first to support retailers was launched today.

Scotland Loves Local has been unveiled by Scotland’s Towns Partnership as part of efforts to support local businesses to fight back against coranvirus-induced challenges.

The campaign urges people to “take care and think local first”

It encourages people to support shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on their own high streets and to do that responsibly by following all hygiene and social distancing guidelines.

Phil Prentice, Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) chief officer, said: “The impact of coronavirus has hit our town centres and local businesses hard.

“Now is the time for us all to support them to get back on their feet in a way which recognises that we still need to stay safe and follow the public health guidelines.

“By thinking local first, we can help Scotland’s economic recovery from its grassroots, supporting our high streets within all of the public safety guidelines.

“The impact we can have by doing this should not be underestimated.

“Scotland Loves Local is all about getting people back to their roots and recognising that our town centre businesses and the people who run them are part of the fabric of our communities.”

“Sometimes for generations these people have been there for us. Now it’s time for us to be there for them.”