A NEW national campaign has been launched urging shoppers to support local businesses.
The Scotland Loves Local campaign kicks off today (20 July), encouraging consumers to support shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on their local high street – while following social distancing and hygiene guideline.
Run by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, with support from the Scottish Government, the campaign will include TV adverts across STV and ITV Border as well as social media, print and digital advertising.
Scotland’s Towns Partnership will also distribute campaign promotional material and stakeholder packs to retailers through the Business Improvement District network in Scotland.
The campaign launch comes at a time of increased public support for local shops, according to a Scotland’s Towns Partnership survey.
A recent poll of 1,000 adults found 66% said they would prioritise shopping locally when high streets reopen following coronavirus restrictions; 64% said the future of their town centre “depends on whether or not local people support them”; and 88% said it is “vital” that the general public support their local high street.
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.”
Scottish Government 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.”
