Pippa’s finally made it as a poster girl
A new campaign has been unveiled to get locals to shop, dine out and love living in their area.
It’s East Renfrewshire Council’s response to the Covid-19 recovery.
As part of the image overhaul, residents and companies have been splashed over the area’s bus stops.
A total of 17 businesses have signed up to the new marketing campaign, which uses Scottish Government cash.
Model and TV presenter Jennifer Reoch, who is from East Renfrewshire, has also shot social media videos.
Led by the local authority, focus groups with residents, business owners, business improvement districts and staff led to the development of the ‘Here’ campaign.
Feedback highlighted that people across the area have a strong sense of local pride and identity about the individual towns and villages where they live.
Busy Barrhead is one of the key areas of the campaign.
Council leader Tony Buchanan said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruption to the economy.
“This new place brand for East Renfrewshire is one of a number of initiatives planned to support local businesses.
“East Renfrewshire has an excellent range of businesses to meet many needs locally and it’s been fantastic to have local business owners involved in our new campaign to highlight this.
“Encouraging local people to support local businesses more will have a considerable benefit to the local economy, local business owners and their families.
“It will support jobs and help strengthen our communities and get them back on their feet following the pandemic.”
The Include Me 2 Club charity, based in Barrhead, is also involved.
And it features posters of chairman Paul McIlvenny and his colleague Pippa Smith.
Barrhead girl Pippa said: “It seems I have finally made it.
“Being a poster girl at bus stops is something I would never have imagined.
“It’s amazing that Include Me 2 Club are part of such a great campaign and it’s very exciting, especially after 14 months of lockdowns and living through the pandemic.”
It’s very exciting ... after 14 months of lockdowns