Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop, has backed One Linlithgow BID’s ‘love local’ campaign, as well as the national Scotland Loves Local message.
Ms Hyslop, who is also Linlithgow’s local MSP, said: “Now more than ever, it is vital than we support our local shops and community and one of the main ways this can be done is by shopping local.
“One Linlithgow has launched the ‘Linlithgow Loves Local’ Campaign to encourage locals to support their community. This pandemic has shown the importance of supporting local businesses and produce.
“I think this is an excellent example of what can be achieved through local innovation, and I encourage everyone, not just in Linlithgow but in the whole of West Lothian to shop local.”
Eddie Linton-Smith, manager of One Linlithgow commented: “We’ve been all around town dropping off bunting, window clings, posters and postcards, from Mill Road Industrial Estate to Braehead and the town centre.
“They’ve been really well received and the ‘shop local’ message, which we’ve been trying to drive for many years, seems finally to be resonating with shoppers and clients, who can now see more clearly than ever that it makes a real difference to the livelihoods of friends, family and neighbours.”
Evelyn Noble, chairperson of One Linlithgow Business Improvement District (BID), said the campaign was crucial in helping support BID members throughout the town who had lost vital trade because of the pandemic.
She said: “They are the lifeblood of our town – now is the time to do all we can to enable them to get back on their feet, to be there for them in these difficult times.”
Added Ms Noble, “It’s about supporting the very fabric of our community, whether it’s a book, a gift, a pint of milk, a coffee, drink or a meal, a hair appointment, or a visit to the garage, we’re urging you to take care and think local.”
Full story: Linlithgow Gazette
Image: Fiona Hyslop MSP / Linlithgow Gazette