Call for people to back businesses in their community

A call for people to ‘choose local’ was being made on Fort William’s High Street this month.

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes was out in the town showing her support for the Scotland Loves Local campaign when she met Phil Prentice - the man charged with leading it - on Fort William High Street recently.

Ms Forbes said: ‘The Scotland Loves Local campaign is so important for our economic recovery, locally and nationally, because it encourages people to spend their money locally and support local businesses. They have been key throughout the pandemic in helping us get through it, so now is the time to repay that and support them.’

The MSP, who is also

Scotland’s

Cabinet

Secretary for Finance and the Economy, has urged businesses across the country to sign up to accept the new Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, which is being rolled out nationally.

She added: ‘I would encourage all businesses to sign up for the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card because it encourages people to spend their money locally.’

Phil Prentice, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation leading the Scotland Loves Local campaign with the support of the Scottish Government, said: ‘The need for us to choose local and support the businesses around us has never been more important. Doing so protects shops, services and livelihoods in our communities. It’s a positive individual decision from which we can all benefit.'