Tag: Scotland's Towns Partnership

Call for Edinburgh shoppers to choose local this Christmas

Spenders urged to not to turn only to online giants and to spend with region’s businesses

Festive shoppers across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being urged to choose local in the final countdown to Christmas.

With the seasonal shopping season now at its peak, the team behind Scotland Loves Local is urging everyone in the region to prioritise local shops, attractions and enterprises, rather than automatically turning to online retail giants.

The so-called Golden Quarter during the lead-up to Christmas is the most important time of the year for many.

Kimberley Guthrie is Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local.

She said: “Edinburgh and the communities of the Lothians are blessed with so many unique and brilliant local businesses. It’s vital that everyone locally gets out there and supports them.

“This is a critical time for all retail and hospitality businesses. The difference we can make by choosing local and getting behind them really can define their year.

“Whether in person or online, we would encourage everyone to think local first when shopping. It’s an investment in your community’s future.

“By doing so, we are helping to secure the future of local businesses – many of which have served our communities for generations – the jobs of our friends and neighbours and ensuring the foundations remain from which our towns can build a new future.”

Scotland Loves Local is the campaign that urges people to think, choose and spend locally to build better futures for their community. It is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), with support from the Scottish Government.

In recent months, organisations of all kinds across the country have been signing the Scotland Loves Local Pledge – a promise that they will choose local and support the businesses around them whenever it is possible for them to do so.

“That is a pledge that people really can fulfil over the coming weeks,” Kimberley added.

A way in which local people can show that support is by using the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card. Cards can only be spent in the regions they are branded. That makes them a direct way in which money can be used to support local jobs in shops, bars, restaurants and visitor attractions.

Digital developments to the programme in recent months mean it has become easier than ever for businesses to use them as staff rewards this Christmas.

For more information about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, go to:

www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard.

Scotland Loves Local Awards: nominations are now open

Nominations open for Scotland Loves Local Awards to recognise those whose dedication and innovation is making life better and shaping a stronger future

People in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are being urged to celebrate the remarkable work to make the region a better place to live in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Nominations have opened for the 2023 Scotland Loves Local Awards, which will see heroics on the high street rewarded, along with responses to the climate crisis.

Artistic flair, work to create new town centre homes, encourage enterprise, make streets more attractive and digital innovation will also be recognised.

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards celebrate all that’s great about local towns and neighbourhoods and tireless work taking place to secure a stronger future in them.

Among the winners last year was SOLE (Supporting Our Local Community) which took the Digital Towns category.

Scotland Loves Local Awards 2022, organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. The Digital Award was won by SOLE / Scottish Tech Army. Pictured at the awards are the Scottish Tech Army’s Kirsty McIntosh and Alistair Forbes. Wednesday November 16th 2022. Picture: Jamie Simpson / Scotland’s Towns Partnership

Led by social enterprise Scottish Tech Army, the place-based app and website had provided a platform for local businesses to trade online, supporting enterprises in Dunbar and East Linton, Fa’side, Haddington, Musselburgh, North Berwick and Preston/Seton/Gosford.

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, said: “In many ways, the challenges facing our communities have never been greater as we face up to the climate emergency, cost of living and the legacy of coronavirus.

“But many people and organisations in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are stepping up to those challenges. In so many ways, this has brought out the best in our people and places.

“It’s unleashed a desire to make a difference, to create a new future – one which has localism at its heart, with better places in which to live and work.

“The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on all of this and so much more.

“To do that, we need you to tell us about the inspiring people and projects whose dedication and innovation is making a real difference in your community.”

The award categories are:

  • High Street Hero (an individual or organisation making an exceptional difference in their community)
  • Place Leader Award
  • Climate and Netzero 
  • Creative Town
  • Streets and Spaces
  • Digital Town
  • Town Centre Living
  • Enterprising Community

Spearheaded by Scottish Towns Partnership and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the third year in which the awards have been held. 

Nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday, September 4th 2023. Winners will be announced at a celebration being held in November.