Falkirk businesses issue rallying cry: 'Our community needs you'
Businesses have issued a rallying cry for people across Falkirk district to get behind them and build a better future for the community.
Members of Falkirk’s Business Improvement District (BID), Falkirk Delivers, gathered in the town centre to make the call ahead of national initiative Scotland Loves Local Week, which starts on Saturday, June 13.
And the message from businesses was clear – ‘Our community needs you’.
Elaine Grant, manager of Falkirk Delivers, explained: “Our members work tirelessly to be there for our residents whenever they are needed, but they need residents to be there for them too.
"We all want to tackle the challenges which are in our community, as they are in every other, and to live better lives locally.
"The foundation of all that we can achieve is local support, whether that’s for shopping, days out or any other service we need. It keeps money local for longer.
"That’s why we’re asking everyone in our community to think local first and spend with businesses in our area whenever they possibly can, protecting jobs, creating vibrancy and opening new opportunities to invest in our future.”
The annual Scotland Loves Local Week aims to demonstrate how local businesses are the beating heart of a better future, driving community wealth. It showcases innovative projects being undertaken by improvement districts and others to revitalise communities.
It is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government.
Those behind the campaign are encouraging everyone to celebrate local pride by backing businesses in their communities.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s chief officer, said: “It is easy to under estimate the impact of local people supporting local businesses, and local businesses supporting one another.
"Yet every one of us can play a remarkable role in driving community wealth and building stronger, more resilient communities, simply by choosing to do so.”
STP last year estimated that an extra £8.2 million a year could be driven directly into Falkirk’s economy if everyone in the region spent just £1 a week more with local businesses.
Throughout next week, local businesses, politicians and customers are being urged to shine a spotlight on brilliant local enterprises on social media using the hashtags #ScotlandLovesLocal and #ChooseLocal.