Sean Batty has joined forces with businesses in Glasgow’s West End to lead a cry for people to choose local in the final countdown to Christmas.
They have highlighted how the most wonderful time of the year is also the most critical for shops, cafes, restaurants and all sorts of other enterprises in communities the length and breadth of the country.
STV weather presenter Sean is an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local, the campaign encouraging people to back businesses in their home communities.
And he shared some festive cheer with businesses which are part of Visit West End – the Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District – to discover just how important the seasonal support is to them.
Sean, author of children’s book The Worst Christmas Weather EVER!, said: “There are two things in life that I really love – the weather and Christmas.
“At this time of year people are shopping and socialising more – and the more of that we can do on our doorsteps and support our local communities, the better it is for everyone.
“It was fantastic seeing all of the Christmas lights in the West End and hearing from some of the businesses there about the tremendous difference we can all make by choosing local, especially at this magical time of the year.”
Visit West End plays a prominent part in championing businesses in the Byres Road area and the lanes which surround it.
Its chair, John Turner, runs a gift shop – Janet & John’s – with his wife in De Courcy’s Arcade on Cresswell Lane.
He said: “It’s always vital to support your local businesses, especially at Christmas. They’re the heartbeat of the community.
“When you shop locally – particularly in an area like Byres Road and the Lanes, you come across businesses that you won’t find anywhere else, selling items that you probably won’t find anywhere else.
“It’s so vital that we have a good Christmas season.”
Aimee Ryan owns a busy hair and beauty salon on Highburgh Road.
Speaking as her team get clients ready for the party season, she said: “It’s so important that people support local businesses.
“It can be tough in business so people do make a difference when they shop and spend locally.”
Customers at Launch Coffee, on Cresswell Street, help make a special impact every time they choose local there.
All of the profits made from the social enterprise are used to support Launch Foods, the Glasgow charity which has served up more than one million meals to children in the city since 2018.
Manager Scott McMurray said: “People really like the idea of supporting a local charity to feed local children.
“Our whole goal is that no child should go to bed hungry. Local support for Launch Coffee helps make that possible.”
As part of the season of goodwill, Visit West End has partnered with the charity Social Bite in its mission to provide meals, gifts and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas through its Tree of Kindness, which add to the area’s festive attractions.
The tree standing on Byres Road is one of six in the United Kingdom.
Elaine Mullan, Social Bite’s Trusts and Foundations Manager, said: “It’s really important at Christmas time to have a sense of joy, togetherness and kindness. The lit-up trees really bring people together.”
Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government. Its aim is to build stronger, more sustainable, communities through greater support for local businesses.
- You can buy Sean Batty’s The Worst Christmas Weather EVER! in local bookshops across Scotland and at www.seanbatty.co.uk.
