Everyone’s urged to get behind region’s enterprises ahead of Scotland Loves Local Week (June 13-20)
Business owners highlight how local support protects jobs, safeguards services - and helps keep communities alive - as they embrace World Cup excitement
Businesses in Paisley are leading a rallying cry for everyone in Renfrewshire to help the region thrive by choosing local.
People are being urged to fly the flag for businesses across the area as part of Scotland Loves Local Week, which starts on Saturday (June 13).
Business owners and community organisations are among those backing the rallying cry - helping to safeguard enterprises, protect jobs and give places a platform to flourish.
And, as the nation cheers on Scotland in its opening World Cup match in the USA in the early hours of Sunday (June 14), everyone is being urged to celebrate pride at home too.
Throughout Paisley, many shops are decked out with flags celebrating the tournament - with some selling merchandise, keepsakes and essentials for those hosting get-togethers to watch Steve Clarke’s side in action.
Paisley First has been leading the World Cup cheer for businesses and is also supporting the rallying cry for people to choose local - this summer and the year-round - during Scotland Loves Local Week.
Elaine Templeton, Chair of Paisley First, said: “Our local businesses are the heartbeat of our town centre but they need your backing.
“There’s no better place to soak up the atmosphere for the World Cup, and football aside, there’s plenty happening here in Paisley this summer.
“Remember, around 70p from every pound spent locally, stays local. So by meeting friends for lunch, enjoying some retail therapy or signing up for that workshop, you can do your bit to support the local community and its businesses.
“Please love local and support our town.”
Scotland Loves Local - spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) with support from the Scottish Government - is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area.
Tom Arthur, the Scottish Government Minister for Business and Fair Work, last week met with Paisley First to hear about the Business Improvement District’s work and its ongoing efforts to encourage and support new enterprises in the town.
Laura Provan opened her jewellery studio and shop on Gauze Street on Valentine’s Day this year - and says it’s vital for people to show some love for local businesses by choosing to spend with them whenever they can.
She said: “I’m Paisley born and bred, so this was only ever going to be the place I opened a business - and create the style of shop that I would like to see.
“It’s extremely important that local people get behind local businesses. Small, independent businesses are at the heart of the town. They are what makes every town centre unique. You want businesses here that you’re not going to find anywhere else. But, to have that, we all need local support.”
Paisley was named town of the year in last year’s Scotland Loves Local Awards in recognition of the significant investments being made in the town centre - including the landmark transformation of Paisley Museum - as well as wider work to encourage new enterprise.
STP last year estimated that an additional £9.5m-a-year could be driven directly into Renfrewshire’s economy if everyone in the region spent just £1-a-week more with local businesses.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “It is easy to underestimate the impact of local people supporting local businesses, and local businesses supporting one another. Yet every one of us can play a remarkable role in driving community wealth and building stronger, more resilient communities simply by choosing to do so.”
Throughout next week, people are being urged to celebrate their favourite local businesses by posting on social media using the hashtag #ScotlandLovesLocal.