The power of collaboration in championing the message for people to choose local has been highlighted with the opening of a new community hub.
East Renfrewshire Council has created another accessible place in which people can connect with local services at The Avenue Shopping Centre in Newton Mearns.
And, to coincide with its opening, centre management are giving away £1,000-worth of Gift Cards as part of their ongoing drive encouraging people to choose local and spend with businesses in the community.
More than half of the stores in The Avenue accept the card, which is playing an important part in locking money into the local economy.
Shoppers are being invited to enter a special prize draw, with one lucky winner receiving 20 x £50 vouchers to spend in The Avenue stores that accept the Scotland Loves Local East Renfrewshire Gift Cards.
It is being promoted with Love Local branding throughout the shopping centre.
Michelle McCabe, centre manager at The Avenue, who is pictured above (right) with East Renfrewshire Council’s Carol Brown, said: “It’s fantastic to see the community hub in the centre.
“It’s undoubtedly another reason for people to visit – and support the fantastic shops we have here at the same time.
“We were one of the first places in East Renfrewshire to really get behind the local gift card and have been encouraging our retailers to sign up. Twenty stores have done so already and – as new tenants move in – we are encouraging them to accept the cards too. They’re a great way of encouraging people to spend locally.”
The opening ceremony of the community hub
The gift card is an extension of the Scotland Loves Local campaign, which is led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government.
Nicola Hutchinson, who leads on Scotland Loves Local for STP, said: “It’s fantastic to see this collaboration between East Renfrewshire Council and The Avenue Shopping Centre. It’s exactly the sort of joined-up thinking which ensures people and businesses benefit – and we hope that others will be inspired by it.
“Both have been fantastic supporters of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card and it’s great to hear of such enthusiastic promotion and of the real benefits it’s delivering.
“By choosing local, we are laying the foundations for a better future for our communities.”
Services at the new community hub, in Mackinlay Place, include those by the council’s Work East Ren and Economic Development teams, as well as Business Gateway and Skills Development Scotland.
It has been funded through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, which supports community-led local economic development and regeneration.
East Renfrewshire Council Leader Owen O’Donnell, who has visited the hub, said: “This is a really great new facility for the Newton Mearns community. We’re committed to providing residents and businesses with the support they need, in places local to them, so whether you’re a local business looking for advice or someone searching for jobs, I’d encourage you to pop-in and see the wide range of help available.”
Environment Convener, Councillor Danny Devlin, added: “This project builds on the previous work undertaken in Newton Mearns to improve accessibility and services in the area. I think it is a welcome addition to the town and I look forward to seeing local people and businesses getting the most out of it.”
Council and local community planning partner services are welcome to book the space for community meetings, events or consultations. To book or for more information about the Mearns Community Hub email [email protected]
Click here to find out more about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card and how your business can register.
A poster used to promote the campaign at The Avenue
