Boost our businesses
Derek Mackay MSP visited Renfrewshire businesses as he encouraged people to shop locally.
The MSP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North is encouraging shoppers to support the 4,685 small businesses in the area.
He dropped into small businesses in Renfrew, Bridge of Weir, Erskine, Houston and Bishopton, including Peacock Motor Engineers in Renfrew and New Vision Opticians in Bridge of Weir.
Mr Mackay said: “Shopping locally is good for communities, good for the environment and great for the local economy, supporting nearly 30,000 workers in Renfrewshire.
“Today’s market provides many new challenges for retailers, including the move to online shopping.
“Given these challenges, wherever possible, we should all seek to support Renfrewshire’s huge variety of brilliant, independent, locally-run businesses.”
SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South Tom Arthur is also backing local businesses.
He added: “Each small business offers something unique and special, and it is important that we support them and help our local economy to thrive in a market that is increasingly dominated by the big players.”
Recent figures show the number of properties in Renfrewshire benefitting from the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme has increased from 1,797 to 2,665 since it was introduced nine years ago.