A major campaign urging Scots shoppers to think local first to support their community’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis is being backed in the region.
Supporters hope Courier Country will benefit strongly from the Scotland Loves Local drive, which launches today and encourages people to safely prioritise supporting businesses in their own town centres.
Spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) with the support of the Scottish Government, the multi-media initiative comes at a time when the need for support has never been greater as shops, cafes and restaurants recover from the financial fallout from the pandemic.
By shopping within government guidelines on public health and making the most of the businesses closest to them before travelling further afield or turning to online retail giants, they say the impact will be significant.
Among those who have welcomed the campaign are members of the St Andrews Business Improvement District (BID) who are backing it in tandem with their own Love Local Love St Andrews initiative.
During lockdown in the town, companies have benefited from a Business Improvement District Resilience Fund, while also innovating online and with restaurants providing takeaways – perhaps most notably former Masterchef finalist Dean Banks’ lobster, crab and champagne boxes, which have been delivered UK-wide.
Gallery owner Louise Fraser, who chairs BID St Andrews, explained: “The community is part of our town centre businesses. The more support our businesses get, the stronger we are as a community.
“Many of our businesses have been working tremendously hard during lockdown, changed their model and adapted to work safely during lockdown. We have seen great innovation and collaboration between businesses. In spite of all of the challenges, we have a lot of creative successes, which has been nice to see.
“There’s a real sense at the moment that we’re all in this together. I hope we can maintain that by supporting our local businesses, which is also important for reducing our carbon footprint, which people are becoming more careful about.”
Businesses have been working with Business Improvement Districts, which include those in Crieff, Cupar and Dunblane, local authorities and others to put in place arrangements which mean people can shop locally, but safely.
These arrangements include the use of screens, distance markers and signage, the provision of hand sanitiser in-store and capacity limits.
Phil Prentice, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “The impact of coronavirus has hit our town centres and local businesses hard. Across Courier Country, we need to support them to get back on their feet in a way which recognises that we still need to stay safe and follow the public health guidelines.
“The breadth of businesses in our town centres is vast. By thinking local first, the impact we will have in supporting our economic recovery should not be underestimated. The people who run these businesses are part of the fabric of our communities. Sometimes for generations these people have been there for us. Now it’s time for us to be there for them.”
Among those who have welcomed the campaign is National Farmers Union of Scotland president Andrew McCornick.
He recently wrote an open letter to shoppers urging them to support domestic food production while thanking them for their support of Scottish farmers and growers during the pandemic.
Mr McCornick said: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the backing given to Scottish farming, food and drink has been unprecedented and has reinforced that shoppers value healthy, nutritious, local produce and the standards to which it has been grown or reared. It is clear that Scotland Loves Local.
“NFU Scotland is delighted to support this campaign to boost the high street, and with it the butchers, farm shops, greengrocers and hospitality businesses which source from Scotland’s extensive larder.
“Shopping local means you are supporting all the businesses involved in bringing high-quality produce from farm to fork.”
