Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business and Fair Work, Daniel Johnson MSP, showed his support for Scotland Loves Local Week as he visited local businesses in his Edinburgh Southern constituency.
People make Places is the theme of activity across the country during the week, encouraging everyone to get behind those who make local businesses so special – helping to protect the jobs of friends, relatives and neighbours.
Speaking during his visit, Mr Johnson said: “As a former retailer, I know first-hand how much local independent businesses contribute to high street communities in Scotland. Morningside High Street, in the heart of Edinburgh Southern, is a fantastic example of this – a community-minded high street with a varied and diverse array of shops and places to eat and drink.
“There is much to celebrate but our high streets also face challenges. That is why in 2021, I introduced the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act which has been used thousands of times to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse at work. Whilst the Act has been successful, much more needs to be done across the board to help our high streets thrive.”
He was joined on the visit by Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership Kimberley Guthrie and Scotland Loves Local Programme Coordinator Nicola Hutchinson.
Kimberley Guthrie said: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a celebration of local excellence and celebrating the people who make places.
“It has been fantastic to see such a tremendous amount of support from across the political spectrum for this year’s celebrations, helping to showcase the great spirit of entrepreneurialism, innovation and community we have in Scotland.
The simple act of thinking local first has a profound effect and can have a transformational impact on local economies, laying the foundations to make our places stronger and more sustainable for the future”.
Scotland Loves Local Week is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) as part of its drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area, potentially injecting millions of pounds more into regional economies.
It has calculated that almost £26.8m more could be driven directly into the city of Edinburgh economy if every person spent just £1-a-week more with local businesses.
