Some of the faces of Scotland Loves Local’s launch believe people now have a greater appreciation of the critical difference that they can make to their communities by choosing local.
Members of the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Milngavie and Paisley led the line on explaining the importance of thinking local first to the nation in July 2020.
They featured in a range of media features, as well as in the first of a number of television adverts that we broadcast with STV and ITV Border.
In the years since, their businesses have adapted to the changing face of retail, responding to new customer habits and opportunities, as well as managing financial challenges which all enterprises have encountered.
Laura Bell, owner of IVAD Gifts in Paisley town centre, had just competed a refurbishment of her Gauze Street shop as the nation went into lockdown in March 2020, then faced the disruption of the pandemic.
She was among those who were quick to begin adding local deliveries to the services offered, something that the store has continued in the years since.
Laura, who’s been in business for 21 years, said: “People have realised that there are good shops locally, not just in Paisley, but wherever they happen to stay. There are good shops, good coffee shops and they can get things without travelling to big regional centres.”
One of the differences which has emerged in Paisley, Renfrewshire, since the pandemic has been an increase in the number of people living in the town centre, bringing direct benefits to nearby businesses.
“We’ve made a lot of new relationships with people who now live in the area which has been really good. It really does help,” added Laura.
“If you live across the road and need a birthday card or want a nice cake, you’re not going to jump in your car. If you can walk across the road and get something, that’s what people are doing now. That’s doing really well for is
“Choosing local makes a real difference. It supports local businesses, families and makes the town centre a more vibrant and fun place to be. Without that support, we wouldn’t be here.”
Hospitality business owner Billy Milligan owns Fullbacks and Charlie’s Loft in the centre of Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, and was also involved in the launch.
His business interests have evolved too, adapting to changes in his industry directly, as well adapting to the shifting dynamics of town centres more generally.
Billy believes that events have a critical part to play in the future of towns, providing a reason to visit.
Such is the strength of his belief that he’s organising Milngavie Street Party on August 29 and 30, bringing a host of top music acts – and hopefully thousands of people – into the town centre.
Billy told us: “We’ve had to be dynamic and change with the times. There have been cultural shifts to the way people socialise since the pandemic. We’ve had to focus more on food – and we have to think of different ways and events to bring people to the venue. We do more targeted marketing.
“Being involved in the events industry, we have a real reason to bring people into the town as a community through music events and social gatherings rather than just shopping. I feel every town centre should look like at this sort of thing.
“We’re trying to bring people into Milngavie with events for everybody.”
Wendy Ross, owner of Ruby Red and Driftwood in Milngavie, has been a high-profile advocate for Scotland Loves Local throughout the past five years, meeting Scottish Government ministers and other politicians, as well as featuring in that first TV campaign.
While there have been challenges for all in the cost of doing business, she believes that her community is now in a stronger position than it was pre-pandemic – with awareness about the need to choose local an important factor in that.
She said: “With the Scotland Loves Local campaign, and our successful BID in Milngavie, encouraging people it’s made people an awful lot closer. It feels more of a community now.
“With the hard work that we’ve all done, Milngavie is a much better place to come and visit than it was five years ago. The place is looking the best it ever has.”
