Scotland’s Towns Partnership launches a campaign to support retailers by urging shoppers to think local first.
Scotland Loves Local has the support of the Scottish Government as part of efforts to support local businesses in the fight back from the coronavirus crisis.
It encourages people to support shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on their own high streets while following all hygiene and social distancing guidelines.
Scotland’s Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “It is now more vitally important than ever to consider shopping, eating and drinking locally as we all have a role to play in Scotland’s economic recovery.
"Simple steps like choosing to visit a nearby shop or café, or buying goods or services from a business in your own community, helps support jobs and goes a long way to fostering the vibrant selection of products and services on offer close to home.
“By following the public health advice, we can all make exploring what the neighbourhood has to offer as safe as possible. I would encourage everyone who is able to head out and discover for themselves what living locally can offer them – I know that business owners at the heart of our communities will appreciate it immensely.”
Two-thirds of people polled for STP said they would prioritise shopping locally when their local town centres reopened.
Businesses across the country have been working with business improvement districts, local authorities and others to put in place arrangements which mean people can shop safely thanks to screens, distance markers, signage, hand sanitiser in store and capacity limits.
Phil Prentice, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, 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.
"One of the great positives of the terrible times in which we have found ourselves has been the greater appreciation of localism. We must now harness that to keep our communities vibrant and lay firm foundations as we work to ensure our town centres are fit for the future."
