On Thursday last week, Scottish Liberal Democrat’s Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart, spent time hearing how summer trade was faring for local businesses, George Robertson Ltd, Blyde Welcome and Westside Pine, before signing the pledge.
Ms Wishart commented on her visits:
“We are so fortunate to have such a wide variety of local businesses in Shetland.
“Lerwick’s Commercial Street is a rarity today in that it is so well represented by local businesses and independent outlets offering a wide variety of products and services.
“Visitors find local shops an attraction too. Having tired of urban high streets that all look the same, they often reflect on how refreshing it is to find independent retailers.
“Pounds spent in local businesses keep and grow local jobs, and contribute to Shetland’s economy, which is why I support “Scotland loves Local” week all year round.”
Also signing the pledge locally was Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green Party MSP for the Highlands & Islands, and party spokesperson for Communities and Rural Affairs. Ariane visited with local businesses while in Lerwick on Tuesday. She said “Shetland has a proud history of local enterprise and community wealth building. Small businesses and social enterprises like COPE are great examples of making the money in Shetlanders’ pockets have a real impact in their local community.
“Scotland Loves Local Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the businesses and social enterprises who make our high streets hum and towns like Lerwick lively and exciting places to live and work.”
Living Lerwick have coordinated the visits as part of their ongoing work to support and promote local businesses and encourage Shetlander’s to Think Local First. To mark Scotland Loves Local Week , the popular Spend at da Street loyalty card scheme will launch an extended prize pot - selecting four winning shoppers at the end of September, to win a £50 voucher for any of the 55 participating local businesses.
Anyone spending £20 in a single transaction should remember to request their loyalty card stamps for a chance to win. One winner is chosen every month, with six winners benefitting from the annual bumper draw in December.
Living Lerwick Project Manager, Emma Miller, said “The business owners and staff in our town centre work really hard to provide a great service for the Shetland public with a fantastic range of products and services, available on our doorstep, with no expensive courier fees or delivery delays.
“During Scotland Loves Local Week, we’d like to encourage local shoppers to sign up to the Scotland Loves Local pledge and pop into town if they haven’t been for a while – or if they have, invite a friend to join them for coffee, cake and a bit of shopping!”
Anyone can sign up to the pledge online at https://lovelocal.scot/pledge or by dropping along any of the following locations:
- Blyde Welcome
- George Robertsons Ltd
- Jamieson’s of Shetland
- Refan Perfume & Cosmetics
- Shetland Soap Co.
- Smith & Robertson
- Westside Pine
- VisitScotland ICente
The Scotland Loves Local Pledge:
Every time we buy from a local shop, enjoy a meal out in a local restaurant, visit a local attraction or order from a local business, we are deciding to make a difference. We are helping businesses in our local community to thrive, protecting jobs and encouraging investment which will make the place we live stronger and more sustainable.
That is why we are signing the Scotland Loves Local Pledge - to not just Think Local First, but to act local in everything we do. Our promise to our region’s residents is simple: We will choose local, prioritising the people and businesses around us at every opportunity. We will think local and spend local whenever we can. We are encouraging everyone to join us in doing so. By taking action together today, we can forge a brighter tomorrow
