Latest news with #ScotlandLovesLocal
The Herald Scotland
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Support for local businesses in Scotland 'stronger than ever'
As restrictions began to ease, its call to action and support for enterprises and community organisations was credited with helping to rebuild confidence among consumers, protecting the future of local businesses and saving jobs. And the organisation which spearheads the drive says its legacy is a wave of "continued positive action", with people encouraged to act to create stronger, more successful and sustainable communities, as well as an initiative which is locking millions of pounds into local economies. Having evolved from an emergency response campaign, Scotland Loves Local is now a broader mission to secure long-term economic prosperity for places - reminding people that the simple act of choosing local provides the foundation for encouraging innovation and investment in the future. READ MORE: Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which champions the role that towns have at the heart of national life and the economy, continues to lead the movement with support from the Scottish Government. Professor Leigh Sparks, a retail academic who is also STP's chair, said: 'Whilst we all had high hopes that Scotland Loves Local would resonate and have an impact, the reality was far more powerful than we had anticipated. It hit the spot with many people, consumers, communities and businesses. 'Five years ago, we did not anticipate that Scotland Loves Local would be such a success and broaden beyond its original conception. 'Its purpose though remains the same - building a movement to support local businesses and local communities by tying together local spending.' And it is one which supporters say could hold even greater importance with a Community Wealth Building Bill - including proposals which would place statutory requirements on local authorities to support local businesses - working its way through the Scottish Parliament. Professor Leigh Sparks, Chair of Scotland's Towns Partnership (Image: Scotland's Towns Partnership) 'Scotland Loves Local is the essence of community wealth building,' added Prof Sparks, who was also author of the New Future for Scotland's Towns report for the Scottish Government in 2021, which led to the importance of towns and town centres being strengthened in national planning policies. The success of the initiative in triggering community action in encouraging people to choose local led to the rollout of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, in partnership with Perth-based fintech Miconex. Since its launch in 2021, it has driven more than £16 million in spending directly into local businesses across Scotland. With work underway to develop that further - technologically, as well as targeting new Scottish diaspora worldwide to support Scotland's places and expanding its use across the transport network and among visitor attractions - STP is confident that its worth will continue to grow. 'The more we can think about how we use the card in more places - more different types of places - across Scotland, the more that reinforces the sense of place, but also how people tie into place,' Prof Sparks explained. READ MORE: 'That's the important thing about the gift card and Scotland Loves Local.' The 'love local' banner is one which many organisations have embraced to encourage people to enhance their towns as places to live, work, visit and play. Members of Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) were among those who were the faces of Scotland Loves Local's launch, telling their stories about the importance of choosing local. Wendy Ross, owner of Ruby Red and Driftwood - a neighbouring gift shop and boutique in the town centre - was one of them. Such was the support five years ago - and since - that she believes the town is in a stronger place than it was pre-pandemic. • Milngavie business owner Wendy Ross outside Ruby Red gift store (Image: Scotland's Towns Partnership) 'With the Scotland Loves Local campaign, and our successful BID in Milngavie, encouraging people it's made people an awful lot closer,' said Ms Ross, who has been in business for 19 years. 'It feels more of a community now. "With the hard work that we've all done, Milngavie is a much better place to come and visit than it was five years ago. The place is looking the best it ever has.' Much of the work that is taking place to transform towns - including creating new homes, rejuvenating formerly derelict blights as part of community-led action and repurposing redundant retail units for leisure, hospitality and offices while encouraging more people into town centres - will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local Week next month. Prof Sparks, who is Professor of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling's Institute for Retail Studies, said: 'If you think about Scotland's towns, we spent 50 years destroying them in many ways by the way we disaggregated and decentralised a lot of the way we live, shop and work. We're now trying to rebuild that. 'If we look at individuals, community groups, local authorities and Business Improvement Districts, we have a network of people doing great things around our town centres to drive them forward. 'We should be encouraged with what's happening and we should be encouraging people more in the way that they do it. 'Town centres are great places. We've got massive innovation in lots of our town centres. We just need now to build on that, get more of it and get everyone pulling in the same direction.' For more information about Scotland Loves Local and the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card visit
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Celebrating Lanarkshire in Scotland Loves Local Week
Celebrating Lanarkshire in Scotland Loves Local Week People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. Scotland's Towns Partnership Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie, left, and chair Professor Leigh Sparks (Image: WSH] ) Organisations across the region are being urged to celebrate their places as part of major drive encouraging people to 'choose local'. The people who make Lanarkshire's communities so special will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local Week. People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. A week of activities, including social media campaigning and political visits, will highlight the transformational difference of choosing local - supporting friends, family and neighbours by getting behind the businesses which are the fabric of communities. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Residents across Lanarkshire are being encouraged to take part, championing the message to think local first - celebrating the people who make their places. Article continues below Scotland Loves Local Week is organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which champions the critical part that towns and local neighbourhoods play in creating a stronger, fairer, wealthier Scotland. Kimberley Guthrie, STP's Chief Officer, said: 'People are at the heart of our places, driving the ideas, projects and development that will breathe new life into communities across the region and throughout Scotland. 'Scotland Loves Local Week is the chance to shout about the great things that are happening where you live - and the people whose innovation, determination and dedication, make Lanarkshire the great place it is. Health experts advising people to remember to take care in the sun as temperatures soar READ MORE: 'Whether it be the team from the family business which has been part of the community for generations, or a trailblazing development, this is a chance to highlight why it's so important to get behind what they are doing to create better places - all the while supporting the jobs of the people around us.' Scotland Loves Local is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area, potentially injecting millions of pounds into regional economies. It is spearheaded by STP with support from the Scottish Government. More information about how to get involved in Scotland Loves Local Week is available at or by emailing info@ Article continues below *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Celebrating West Lothian in Scotland Loves Local Week
People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. Organisations across the region are being urged to celebrate their places as part of major drive encouraging people to 'choose local'. The people who make West Lothian communities so special will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local Week. People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. A week of activities, including social media campaigning and political visits, will highlight the transformational difference of choosing local - supporting friends, family and neighbours by getting behind the businesses which are the fabric of communities. Residents across West Lothian are being encouraged to take part, championing the message to think local first - celebrating the people who make their places. Scotland Loves Local Week is organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which champions the critical part that towns and local neighbourhoods play in creating a stronger, fairer, wealthier Scotland. Kimberley Guthrie, STP's Chief Officer, said: 'People are at the heart of our places, driving the ideas, projects and development that will breathe new life into communities across the region and throughout Scotland. 'Scotland Loves Local Week is the chance to shout about the great things that are happening where you live - and the people whose innovation, determination and dedication, make West Lothian the great place it is. 'Whether it be the team from the family business which has been part of the community for generations, or a trailblazing development, this is a chance to highlight why it's so important to get behind what they are doing to create better places - all the while supporting the jobs of the people around us.' Scotland Loves Local is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area, potentially injecting millions of pounds into regional economies. It is spearheaded by STP with support from the Scottish Government. More information about how to get involved in Scotland Loves Local Week is available at or by emailing info@
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
People urged to celebrate high street heroes for 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards
You can also put your home area forward for national accolades including Town of the Year. People across Lanarkshire are being urged to celebrate their high street heroes. Nominations have opened for the 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards, celebrating the people and organisations who make communities better places to live, work and visit. And the region's residents are being encouraged to nominate those who they would like to be named as High Street Hero for Central Scotland. People can also put their home area forward for national accolades including Town of the Year. The awards are organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) as an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign encouraging people to back enterprises and organisations in their communities. STP chief officer Kimberley Guthrie said: 'Every day, people and organisations go above and beyond to make their communities better and I've been lucky to meet a few of them and see what brilliant work they do. "The impact of that determination to make a difference should never be underestimated. 'The Scotland Loves Local Awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward that success, celebrating collective and individual achievements. They are a fantastic way to say a special thank you.' The awards highlight the innovation and collaboration which will make towns and neighbourhoods stronger and more sustainable. The categories nationally are: Eight High Street Hero Awards will also be presented - one in each of the Scottish Parliament electoral regions - recognising a person or organisation who makes life better in their area. Award nominations can be made at where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised. The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Wednesday, August 30. Finalists will be announced in September with presentations made to winners in October. A special reception will then take place in Edinburgh in November.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Show the love for high street heroes in West Lothian by nominating them for award
Jim Allan from Bathgate was last year's winner for the region West Lothian residents are being urged to nominate their high street heroes for this year's Scotland Loves Local Awards. The awards celebrate the people and organisations who make communities better places to live, work and visit. Residents in West Lothian as well as those across Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian are being encouraged to nominate those they would like to see crowned High Street Hero for the Lothian region. Eco warrior Jim Allan, from Bathgate, an influential force in West Lothian Litter Pickers and its work to clear hundreds of tonnes of rubbish from local streets and spaces was last year's winner. Now in their fifth year, the awards are organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) as an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign encouraging people to back enterprises and organisations in their own communities. People can also put their home area forward for national accolades including Town of the Year. STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: 'Every day, people and organisations go above and beyond to make their communities better and I've been lucky to meet a few of them and see what brilliant work they do. 'The impact of that determination to make a difference should never be underestimated. 'The Scotland Loves Local Awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward that success, celebrating collective and individual achievements. They are a fantastic way to say a special thank-you.' The awards highlight the innovation and collaboration which will make towns and neighbourhoods stronger and more sustainable. The categories nationally are: ● Town of the Year ● Most Enterprising Community ● Place Leader of the Year Eight High Street Hero Awards will also be presented - one in each of the Scottish Parliament electoral regions - recognising a person or organisation who make life better in their area. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, August 30 at 5pm. Finalists will be announced in September with presentations made to winners in October and a special reception will take place in Edinburgh in November.
