Sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge and show your commitment to choosing local.
That’s the message from the organisations spearheading the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card as people, businesses, local authorities and other organisations are urged to show their support.
Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the go-to body for towns and places, is the organisation which spearheads the whole Scotland Loves Local initiative, supported by the Scottish Government.
Miconex, the Perth-based fintech, delivers the gift card programme, in partnership with local authorities across the country.
Both have signed the Scotland Loves Local Pledge – a statement which demonstrates a determination to build a better future for communities, with signatories promising to prioritise turning to – and spending with – local people and businesses whenever it is possible to do so, boosting their local economy.
For both, it was important that they demonstrate they are as committed to supporting and encouraging enterprise in Scotland as the others they are asking to follow their lead.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “The power of choosing local more often – whether that be residents doing so in their daily lives or businesses supporting other local businesses – is transformational.
“Greater support for local enterprises protects jobs and businesses. And that support underpins the tireless work taking place to help communities adapt to our ever-changing world, seizing opportunities to innovate, invest and make our communities better places to live, work and visit.
“We hope that others will also demonstrate the tremendous will that there is to help communities succeed by signing the pledge and sharing that news.”
The pledge is being pushed ahead of Scotland Loves Local Week, which takes place from August 26th until September 1st 2024. It will highlight the critical difference that choosing local makes to building stronger, more sustainable, communities.
Miconex Managing Director Colin Munro said: “The Scotland Loves Local Pledge is an important step that consumers and organisations alike can take to demonstrate their commitment to thinking, choosing and spending locally, so we can power our Scottish communities.
“In the trailblazing Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, we have a means for people to make their commitment to spending with local businesses a reality. The card continues to go from strength to strength with over £15 million spent locally and over 7,000 Scottish businesses benefiting, helping to support communities across the country. It represents unbeatable local choice and every card purchased is a commitment to our Scottish communities.”
Scotland Loves Local Week will showcase work taking place by the likes of community organisations, Business Improvement Districts, social enterprises and others, with visits by politicians, special events and social media campaigns.
People are being invited to share images and details of great businesses and organisations that make their home area so special, using the hashtags #ScotlandLovesLocal and #ChooseLocal.
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. Click here to sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge. To find out more about how you can get involved, please email [email protected].
