Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar has added his voice to the rallying cry urging Scots to choose local.
The Glasgow MSP discussed the importance of supporting local businesses to help communities thrive as he called into a gift shop in the city.
His visit to Janet and John, in De Courcy’s Arcade, is part of Scotland Loves Local Week, seven days of action (August 26 – September 1) focussing on work taking place to reimagine communities and rallying people to boost the economy by spending with local businesses
Accompanied by Daniel Johnson, his party’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business and Fair Work, and Glasgow North MP Martin Rhodes, he met John Turner, who owns the business alongside wife Janet as well as chairing Visit West End, the Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District (BID).
Mr Sarwar also signed the Scotland Loves Local Pledge, a commitment to supporting local businesses whenever it is possible to do so, as well as visiting other businesses in the arcade.
And the politicians were updated on Scotland Loves Local’s wider mission by Kimberley Guthrie, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation behind it.
Speaking during his visit, Anas Sarwar said: “To have thriving communities, it’s absolutely crucial that people support local businesses, not just one week of the year, but all year.
“I’m keen to explore not only how we get more people supporting their high streets and town centres and spending locally, but how we use the power of government and council procurement to support local businesses because they are such a key part of employment, growth potential and living standards.”
Visit West End is a champion of local businesses as well as being behind a range of events attracting people to the area, including the upcoming Byres Road Book Festival, which takes place from September 26 to 29.
John Turner said: “Local businesses are at the heart of our communities. Byres Road and Lanes is a hive of small independent enterprises for whom the support of local people is absolutely critical. Our future – and the success of our community – really does depend upon the support we get from the people around us.
“It was great to have some time with Anas, Daniel and Martin to discuss that with them, to hear their support for what Scotland Loves Local Week is trying to achieve, as well as raising the opportunities and some of the issues we face.”
STP leads the Scotland Loves Local initiative as a means to boost local economies and improve places by galvanising support for the people and businesses in them.
Kimberley Guthrie said: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a celebration of local excellence and it is fantastic that we’re welcoming politicians into businesses, social enterprises and community-led organisations to showcase the great spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation we have here in Scotland. We are grateful for the support.
“The simple act of choosing local has a profound effect, laying the foundations of a new future for towns and neighbourhoods as we seize and create opportunities to make them stronger and more sustainable.”
You can sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge here
