The campaign

About the campaign

The Scotland Loves Local campaign is a national initiative designed to encourage all those who live in Scotland to think local first and support their  high streets safely and in line with public health guidelines. The outbreak of Coronavirus has caused significant challenges for our town centres, high streets and local businesses. They have lost out on vital trade because they had to close to keep us safe. Many of them have gone to enormous lengths to support the most vulnerable people in our communities.

As Scotland begins to ease lockdown restrictions and move into recovery, now is the time to support them to get back on their feet. However, we know coronavirus is still a significant risk to local communities and so it is important that people continue to follow the public health guidelines and take care.

Scotland’s towns are a gateway to our past. They are a rich tapestry of Scottish history and our journey to becoming the society and nation we are now. Scotland loves local.

But our high streets aren’t just a series of buildings where things are bought and sold. The people who run local businesses are our brothers and sisters, our friends, our aunts and uncles, our neighbours. Whether it’s an emergency pint of milk, catching up with old friends at Christmas in the local pub or offering a lovely coffee when there’s no big chain available, our high streets have always been there for us.

Our small businesses, whether a pub, cafe, tailor, butcher or a grocery shop, are the lifeblood of our Scottish economy. They take risks each and every day to create jobs and prosperity to maintain our way of life. Now is the time to support them to get back on their feet. Now is the time to be there for them. Now is the time to think local first. This isn’t just about keeping shop units occupied, it’s about supporting the very fabric of our society and community.

Whether it’s a book, or a pint of milk, a night out and a meal, a bedside table or some garden furniture, we’re asking you to take care and think local first.