Keep it Local plea to boost North Ayrshire’s economy
People are being urged to Keep it Local to support local businesses in the economic fallout of Covid-19.
It is in recognition the pandemic has caused unprecedented economic hardship for high streets, businesses and communities across North Ayrshire.
Residents and businesses are being urged to look locally for items and services they need, in turn supporting the people and families behind them.
The council is throwing its support to the cause by launching a Keep it Local campaign as part of its wider Community Wealth Building approach. The campaign’s focus will be on encouraging local spend and use of local supply chains to enable the area to build up its economy.
The campaign mirrors the We Love Local campaign launched by The Arran Banner and her sister titles last week in support of businesses on Arran. But it is not just about people shopping local. It’s also about businesses harnessing local suppliers and tapping into the skills and experience of the area’s workforce by employing local. Larger ‘anchor’ organisations – large private, public and third sector bodies in the region – are also encouraged to play their part and invest, buy and employ locally.
Council leader Joe Cullinane said: ‘The pandemic has had a devastating effect on all our lives, not only in terms of health, but also in terms of our livelihoods.
‘As lockdown eases and we take steps towards a new normal, it’s an opportunity for us to support local businesses and help them get back on their feet.
‘North Ayrshire’s economy is a fragile one, susceptible to big shocks and the pandemic has rocked local businesses. We’re committed to supporting our business base to build back better, fairer and greener.
‘We recently launched our Community Wealth Building strategy which aims to use the public pound in North Ayrshire to support local businesses and create new democratic models of ownership, including worker co-operatives, to create good, well-paid jobs.
‘The need for local people, businesses and anchor institutions to spend locally is an essential pillar of that strategy and we are supporting that need by urging people and businesses to Keep it Local.
‘Local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and support countless families. They need our support.’
Keep it Local forms part of the council’s ongoing work to encourage local spend, investment and employment – supporting Scotland’s first Community Wealth Building strategy, to create a fairer North Ayrshire.
The strategy can be found online at www.north-ayrshire. gov.uk/cwb