Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) the length and breadth of Scotland have been at the forefront of championing Scotland Loves Local Week 2025.
They have demonstrated that People Make Places – the theme of the week – by showcasing the special and unique businesses which are at the heart of every community in the country.
Together, our BIDs – part of the Scotland’s Improvement Districts network which is part of the Scotland’s Towns Partnership family – have demonstrated that behind every shopfront, in every office, is a neighbour, a friend or relative. Every pound locally is a vote for the people who help make your place special, as our campaign branding has symbolised.
They have welcomed politicians, spoken to journalists and shouted loudly and proudly on social media about the businesses which are at the core of the communities they are each working to make better, stronger and more sustainable.
Here’s a flavour of what their members have said and how they’ve highlighted the difference that everyone can make by choosing local – remembering that People Make Places.
Alloa First
Manager Diane Brown said: “At Alloa First, we believe that local businesses are the beating heart of our community, and it has never been more important to support them. Scotland Loves Local week 2025 is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the shops, cafes and services that make Alloa unique and vibrant. When we choose to shop, eat, or do business locally, we are making an investment in our own community. Every pound spent here stays here, circulating within the local economy. Scotland Loves Local Week is the perfect moment to discover what’s on our doorstep for locals and visitors alike.”
Aberdeen Inspired
Members of Aberdeen Inspired highlighted the success of the Aberdeen City Gift Card and the £4m and counting that it has driven into the local economy
Chief Executive Adrian Watson said: “For us, it’s about more than just figures. It’s about bringing people in to spend money with bricks and mortar businesses and showing the support for the fantastic businesses we have to offer here in Aberdeen.”
Barrhead Properties was among the businesses to get behind the week, with Estate agent Shirley McClune, who works for the firm, saying: “We’ve been here for 35 years and have built real trust. The local insight and knowledge that businesses like ours provide is irreplaceable.”
BID4Oban
You can watch a special video on businesses in Oban – Scotland’s reigning Town of the Year – championing the need to choose local, and speaking about the positive impact of the Scotland Love Local Argyll & Bute Gift Card, here.
Discover Lanark
Staff at The Duke’s Deli in Lanark town centre were among the businesses to celebrate the fact that People Make Places.
East Lothian Food and Drink
East Lothian Food and Drink BID Manager Emma Bouglet said: “Spending locally is vital for East Lothian’s economy – every purchase made with an independent business supports local jobs, sustains our high streets, and strengthens the fabric of our communities. By choosing to shop local, we all play a part in ensuring East Lothian continues to prosper.”
Falkirk Delivers
Falkirk Delivers manager Elaine Grant, who welcomed Scotland Loves Local ambassador Sean Batty, said: “People do make places and there are people in Falkirk working tremendously hard for our future, day in, day out. Every penny spent with our local businesses is an investment in everyone’s future. Local businesses are there for us. We should be there for them too.”
Taking part in their first Scotland Loves Local Week, BID Fort William Project Manager Mary Philip said: “We’re all about helping our community, keeping jobs here and ensuring that Fort William thrives. If you don’t shop locally, it has a negative impact on all of us. “
BID For Galashiels
Also taking part in their first Scotland Loves Local Week, BID for Galashiels chair, Lewis Roden, said: “This year’s Scotland Loves Local theme of People Make Places could have been crafted with Galashiels in mind. We are, after all, officially one of the happiest places to live in the UK. Our aim is to encourage everyone to celebrate that community spirit by shopping local.”
Giffnock Village
Kelly Duffy, who manages Louise Shafar Designer Jeweller, said: “Local support is massively important for us. People get something bespoke here. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, but we provide a bespoke service. We’re approachable and have a much bigger selection than a lot of the chain stores, with something for all budgets. We shop locally ourselves as well.”
Go Forth Stirling
Rosalind Wardley-Smith, owner of The Golden Lion Hotel in the city centre, said: “Our focus is on supporting Stirling’s local community – from the businesses on our high street to the people who work here. We’re proud to employ local staff, give back to local enterprises, and invest in initiatives that strengthen our city. Everything we do is about supporting local initiatives from within Stirling.”
Catch up on Go Forth Stirling’s work with Historic Environment Scotland here
Go Tweed Valley
Project manager Rich Rowe said: “Shopping local has never been more important and no more so than in small towns such as Innerleithen. Many exciting new businesses have come into the town, adding richness to the lives of all who live here. But to survive and thrive, they need the year-round support of local residents in addition to that of the many visitors who come to the Tweed Valley every year. With each supporting the other, it becomes a win-win for all.”
Hamilton Our Town
Hamilton Our Town Manager Malcolm Thomas-Harley said: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a chance to celebrate and highlight the difference we make when we spend locally. Every pound spent in local Hamilton town centre businesses supports jobs, strengthens our town centre and invests in our community.”
I Love Clarkston
Debbie Stewart, owner of a bientot, was among the I Love Clarkston members who got behind the week. We also cooked up a treat with a family-run restaurant. You can watch that video here.
Kirkintilloch BID
Nicky Hutchinson, of Campsie Natural Pet Supplies in Kirkintilloch, said: “Local support is our lifeblood. It’s what pays our wages, it’s what pays our bills and what puts food on our tables. Local people build our business and local people keep us going. I’m so proud to be part of Kirkintilloch. I live here, I work here and the support we get is phenomenal. I can’t express my gratitude enough for how heavily supported we are.”
Kirkwall
The team in Kirkwall used the week for a social media showcase on the fantastic and varied businesses at the heart of its community, including a great video which you can check out here and some tremendous use of our Scotland Loves Local £1 branding.
Brilliant businesses in Lerwick were celebrated in a special Scotland Loves Local Spotlight series. The message from the BID was to “Think local first”, underlining its mission of “supporting community life” – a call to action for the whole community.
Milngavie
One of the BIDs which helped launch Scotland Loves Local in 2020, Milngavie’s familiar faces again championed the message this week. You can catch up on how businesses in the town helped to mark our campaign’s fifth anniversary here.
Watch more: Five years of Scotland Loves Local
One Linlithgow
One Linlithgow BID manager Tony I’Anson said: “After working closely with BIDs for more then 10 years – and being a local business owner for over 30 years – I can honestly say that supporting local businesses, no matter how much or little you can afford, really does help the long-term viability of your town. Even going out locally for a drink with a colleague or friend is a re-investment into where you live. So raise a glass this week to Scotland Loves Local Week.”
Paisley First
Elaine Templeton, Chair of Paisley First Business Improvement District, said: “Every pound you spend locally is a vote for the people who make Paisley special. As well as thinking local first, you can spread the word with friends and family, engage with local businesses on social media, leave a positive review online, buy vouchers and gift cards and attend local events.”
Catch up on Paisley First’s partnership with Zero Waste Scotland here
Possilpark
BID Chair Jim Garrity said: “Every time we choose to spend locally – whether it’s buying from a neighbourhood shop, using a local service provider, or supporting a community initiative – we’re making a meaningful investment in our own communities Local spending helps small businesses thrive, creating jobs. It also strengthens social ties, preserving the unique character of areas such as ours.”
BID St Andrews
Maria Dominguez Leandro, of Ostara in St Andrews, said: “Local businesses enrich the town and make it vibrant – we give towns their character. St Andrews has its own unique style and small businesses like Ostara contribute to that. We try to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, but we are lucky as our customers are very loyal and have supported us on our journey over the years to become a sustainable shop. We are always grateful for local support and try to provide a tailored experience to every customer.”
Visit West End
Visit West End Chair John Turner, said: “The true spirit of Glasgow’s West End lies in its people and its businesses – the makers, dreamers and doers who give our community its heart. Celebrating them isn’t just about recognition, it’s about strengthening the pride, connection, and character that make this place great.”
We Are Inverurie
Members of We Are Inverurie used the week to highlight the positive impact of the Scotland Loves Local Aberdeenshire Gift Card on businesses in the town. Councillor Alan Turner, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “The Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card supports almost 400 businesses in our villages and towns across the region. Since its launch in 2021, our gift card really has gone from strength to strength – it’s the ideal means of treating someone to the fantastic products, services and experiences on offer in our area, and at the same time protecting vital local jobs and ensuring our communities prosper.”
Share the Scotland Loves Local stories from your BID – and throughout your community – by emailing [email protected].
Scotland’s Towns Partnership is the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local.
