Scotland’s small business owners say they will band together to help each other thrive.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is among the local authorities, companies and other organisations which have signed the Scotland Loves Local Pledge.
By encouraging its members to support other enterprises in their area whenever they possibly can, FSB is supporting a drive that supporters hope will help drive millions of pounds more into local communities.
The pledge has been signed as Scotland Loves Local Week – seven days of events highlighting the transformational impact of choosing local on the future of businesses, jobs, economies and places – gets underway.
Andrew McRae, FSB Scotland Policy Chair and founder of Elephant House International in Edinburgh, said: “When you think about what you love about your local high street, it is the independent traders who usually come to mind. Whether it is your favourite café, a valued shop or a trusted trades person, small businesses play a huge part in making our communities great places to live and give them so much of their distinctive character.
“With 330,000 firms employing 900,000 people across Scotland, small businesses are also critical to creating and retaining local jobs.
“The Federation of Small Businesses was established 50 years ago this September as a way of small businesses working together to support each other. That philosophy remains just as important today. That’s why I’m delighted to sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge as a sign of our commitment to continuing that proud tradition.”
Individuals are also being urged to sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge.
It states: “We will choose local, prioritising the people and businesses around us at every opportunity.”
Micro and small businesses comprise 98% of all enterprises in Scotland. They employ 900,000 people and turn over in excess of £82bn.
Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) with support from the Scottish Government.
The initiative urges everyone to think local first to boost local economies and improve places by galvanising support for the people and businesses in them.
STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “Small independent businesses are the lifeblood of communities across Scotland. Their success depends upon us all getting behind them.
“We can all help drive millions pounds more into our local economies simply by supporting the businesses in them more often.
“Not only are we protecting the jobs of our friends and neighbours, but we are providing the foundations from which communities take the confidence needed to innovate and invest – making them stronger, more sustainable and better places to live, work and visit.”
MSPs and MPs across Scotland will be visiting small businesses in their constituencies – finding out more about their work – as part of Scotland Loves Local Week.
Many of them are signed up to accept the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, through which businesses can support each other and their local economies. More details on that are available here.
