A call to action has been issued for everyone across Dumfries and Galloway to help the region thrive by choosing local.
Residents 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 with national pride riding high as Scotland prepares to kick-off their World Cup campaign against Haiti in the USA this weekend, Scotland Loves Local leaders believe it is the ideal time to celebrate local pride too.
Moffat Promotions Group (MPG) is among the organisations supporting the Scotland Loves Local Week theme of Flying The Flag for Local Businesses.
Its events, which include the Midsummer Market taking place from 5pm-10pm on Saturday June 20 as well as the Moffat Garden Trail and Christmas Lights Festival, are credited with boosting businesses by attracting people into the town, as well as encouraging locals to embrace it.
Idy Davidson, who has lived in Moffat for 45 years, is one of the MPG’s volunteers, as well as being involved in a string of other local events, organisations and businesses.
She said: “It’s so important that people support local businesses and events. We’re so lucky to have strong support in Moffat – and it’s that support which helps keep local businesses alive.”
Artist and entrepreneur Linnhe Cringean, one of the team behind Well Street gift shop 17 Reasons, was celebrated as a High Street Hero in the 2024 Scotland Loves Local Awards and is another of the MPG volunteers.
She added: “It’s critical that people who live locally shop locally as well. We’re really fortunate here that there are always new businesses opening in the town, with lots of groups working really hard to support each other.”Fellow volunteer Karen Braithwaite, who owns The Bothy, Auchencastle, believes it important that people discover and embrace what’s on their doorstep.
“With fuel prices as they are, we are expecting a lot of staycations this year, which we hope will give the local economy a real boost,” she said. “Hopefully people will be encouraged to spend more time in the region and enjoy all that we have here.”
The importance of local support to local businesses and communities will be championed as part of Scotland Loves Local Week.
Graham Watson has run award-winning family business Watson’s Grocers in Moniave for 25 years and is the current president of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, which represents convenience stores across the country.
He said: “Local businesses are so important to our communities.
“Businesses and people build a relationship with each other. We try to do our very best for them.
“In small communities, when assets like local shops go, schools often follow – and all sorts of local assets. It’s a two-way street and it’s vital that we support each other.
“I know everybody. We look out for people, we deliver things for free. I can stand out the front of the shop and wave at every second car that comes through.
“We live in a really uncertain world. Community shops bring a lot of security to communities – heart, soul and decent groceries.”Graham added: “Shop local, go local. You’re doing your bit to keep communities alive.”
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.
STP last year estimated that an additional £7.5m-a-year could be driven directly into Dumfries and Galloway’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.
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