Digital high street fund for crafters and makers
Lamlash Events has secured a grant of £4,500 from the Scotland Loves Local fund, to create a ‘digital high street’ for makers and crafters on the island.
Covid-19 has severely impacted on people and communities, preventing many of the usual opportunities for people to gather and sell the goods of Arran’s talented crafters and makers.
Chairman Michael Gettins told the Banner: ‘With the cancellation of the Lamlash Events’ Santa’s Sparkle, we piloted a successful online event to help address this challenge and wanted to create a more lasting facility that helps to bring new opportunities and support for local people and charities.
‘In discussions with the local authority and others we aim to create a ‘digital high street’ for makers and crafters on the island with the training and support needed. We will also develop a regular open air market to help provide access to the market place for both locals and visitors, as well as fundraising opportunities for local charities and groups.
‘The grant from Scotland Loves Local will enable Lamlash Events to take these ideas forward in the months ahead and we hope the ideas of creating new opportunities to support makers and crafters to build new capacity will help underpin the values of Stay Local, Make Local and Shop Local.
‘Thanks to the Scotland Loves Local grant of £4,500 we are now looking forward to 2021 and hope we can work alongside the people and businesses in our communities to make the year ahead even more special. Look out for more news about this in the coming weeks,’ Michael added.
Last week the Banner revealed that VisitArran and its regional food group Arran’s Food Journey had received £5,000 from the same fund, which is administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnerships.