Business bosses and enterprise leaders working tirelessly to support their communities have been explaining why the support of local people has never been needed more.
They have spoken out in support of Scotland Loves Local and its drive for people to choose local on the back of research which showed that three-quarters of firms said the backing of local people was key to their survival.
Fin Clarkson, Space
Fin Clarkson, Food Services Manager at Space, a community Hub in Broomhouse, south west Edinburgh, that operates a community café on site and Outta Space Pizza across the city, said: “It’s hard out there at the moment – both for local businesses and the communities they serve.
“At Space, we are working hard to support local people through regular community meals, cooking classes and food education as well as an employability pathway from our Training Academy courses to paid employment within our social enterprises. Coming up we have our Kids Go Free no-questions-asked free school holiday meal provision which is a key part of our community focus.
“Keeping money in the local community is really important, and local businesses and social enterprises play a massive part in this. Our growing working lunch event catering and Outta Space Pizza create fantastic produce in Broomhouse that has the dual benefit of raising the profile of social enterprise and enabling us to reinvest the money into our services in Edinburgh’s south west.
“We couldn’t deliver these services without the support of the community around us and, in these challenging times, that support is more important than ever before.”
Innoflate Chairman John McGee with the West Lothian Gift Card
John McGee, Chairman of family leisure activity provider Innoflate, which has centres in Livingston, Elgin, Dundee, Cumbernauld and Aberdeen said: “We are working hard to support local people through partnerships with local colleges, as well as providing a fun way for families to spend time together and focus on their wellbeing.
“Our commitment to our customers and the communities we serve has enabled the group to expand its destination offering across Scotland and the UK, as well as invest in our existing facilities.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the support of communities – and in these challenging times, that support is more important than ever before. As a business to be integral to the regions we operate we must work together to understand the challenges in our regions so that we can be stronger together.”
Jane Kennedy, Manager of BID St Andrews, said: “We are helping people to give local businesses a boost through a range of local initiatives including the St Andrews Gift Card and the Fife Gift Card, which is locking spending into the town and supporting bricks and mortar businesses.
“In St Andrews and across the wider region we have such a wealth of fantastic shopping, eating and leisure experiences. By loving local this summer, people can discover all the amazing experiences that we have on our doorstep – while supporting local businesses that keep millions of pounds-worth of spending in local communities. That support will allow us to make Fife an even better place to live, work and visit.”
Jean Young, Uptown Girl
Jean Young, Owner of Uptown Girl ladies retail boutique in Cowdenbeath, said: “I have regular customers who first came to my shop as strangers and who are now friends. Their support, and that of the wider community, is so important to my business – now more than ever before.
“That’s why I think it’s vital to give something back to the community. I’m proud to be an Employer Champion for Fife College, giving young people work experience and an opportunity to learn business skills in a live retail environment. I have also teamed up with other local businesses to run events such as masterclasses and workshops in my shop because collaboration and working together is key to our survival. A recent fashion show which was held to fundraise for Cowdenbeath Gala Day raised over £600.
“It’s hard out there at the moment – both for businesses and the communities they serve. By creatively and collaboratively working for the community, small businesses can boost local morale. And by loving local this summer, communities can boost our morale!”
Adrian Watson, Aberdeen Inspired
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired Business Improvement District, who’s also a member of the Scotland’s Towns Partnership Board, said: “It’s never been more important for North East communities to get behind their local businesses.
“At Aberdeen Inspired, we are helping people to give local businesses a boost through a range of local initiatives including the Aberdeen Gift Card, which is locking spending into the city and supporting bricks and mortar businesses.”
Research carried out by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local, among its members and stakeholders, which include the country’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), found:
- 73% of businesses who responded to questions said custom from residents in their local community as “extremely important”, with 13% describing it as “very important”.
- Nine-in-10 (90%) said it was important that people “love local” and get behind businesses in their community this summer.
- And the circular impact of businesses boosting their local economy was reinforced by the survey responses, with three-quarters (75%) of those who took part saying they buy from and sell to other local enterprises.
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