Harper Encourages Shoppers To Keep It Local

South Scotland MSP Emma Harper is encouraging consumers in Dumfries and Galloway and across Scotland to shop locally and support their local economy.

The local MSP used Small Business Saturday to highlight the importance of shopping locally, by visiting a number of her favourite shops over the course of the weekend.

Small Business Saturday – which falls on December 2^nd – boosted takings by £717m last year in Scotland, and with research showing that money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy, a key aim of this campaign is to encourage lasting, year-round support for small businesses.

Ms Harper said:

“Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy in Dumfries and Galloway, and account for 99% of all businesses across the country, supporting jobs and growth in our communities as well as providing an invaluable service to consumers.

“Since 2009, the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme has provided a total of £1.5bn rates relief and last year a £500m growth fund was set up to cope with the new challenges posed by a Tory hard Brexit.

“Dumfries and Galloway has a huge variety of brilliant independent, locally run businesses such as Saucy Desserts, and Gallovidian Liquers . Each small business offers something unique and special, and it’s important that we support them in a market that’s increasingly dominated by the big players.

“That’s why I’d suggest kicking off your Christmas shopping, if you haven’t already, by sampling the delights on your door step and visiting your local businesses to ensure our local businesses thrive.”