We love local - Danuta Dobrzanska, Aberdeen Inspired's business engagement manager; Kirsty Blackman MP and Kenny Bruce, manager of the Trinity Centre, are supporting Scotland Loves Local Week and the Aberdeen Gift Card. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Two of Aberdeen’s most prominent politicians have thrown their weight behind Scotland Loves Local Week to celebrate and boost businesses and communities in the Granite City.
MP Kirsty Blackman and MSP Kevin Stewart both visited city centre businesses as part of the campaign being spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and supported by Aberdeen Inspired.
The Scotland Loves Local Week – which will run until Sunday, September 1 - aims to showcase local people and enterprises and highlight the need for residents to support them to build stronger, more sustainable communities.
People are also being encouraged to sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge - signalling their commitment to choosing local whenever they possibly can, supporting the people and businesses around them.
Danuta Dobrzanska, of Aberdeen Inspired, with Kevin Stewart MSP at Mackie's 19.2 Ice Cream Parlour. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, praised the initiative as she visited the Trinity Centre in the heart of Aberdeen.
“It is really important to support local businesses. When people are talking about what they would like to see in their city centre, when they live in somewhere like Rosemount or Dyce, they are actually thinking about those local shops,” said Kirsty.
“They are thinking about things that are a bit unique, something a bit different, where you can buy something that doesn’t look like it comes from any other shop. It is important to support that, to support local jobs and support the local area and ensure we can have our city centre as vibrant as possible.”
The MP also lauded the Aberdeen Gift Card, launched by Aberdeen Inspired to boost “bricks and mortar” businesses in the city and which is now the UK and Ireland’s most successful such initiative and a driver for Scotland Loves Local in the city. It supports more than 300 shops, businesses and attractions and has generated more than £3 million in sales since it began in 2020, all of it going back into the local economy.
Kirsty said: “I think the Aberdeen Gift Card is an absolutely genius idea. No matter what community you live in Aberdeen, every one of us is Team Aberdeen and getting the opportunity to go in to town with your Gift Card and spend it is just the best thing. I’m so glad it has happened.”
All smiles from Danuta Dobrzanska of Aberdeen Inspired, Yvette Harrison, parlour manager at Mackie's 19.2 Ice Cream Parlour. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Her support for Scotland Loves Local in Aberdeen was welcomed by Trinity Centre manager, Kenny Bruce.
He said: “It’s vital we continue to thrive and to Love Local, especially here in the heart of the city centre. The local, independent scene in Aberdeen is thriving, but it needs support to continue to grow and be even more vibrant.”
Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, spoke of his support for Scotland Loves Local as he visited Aberdeen’s popular Mackie’s 19.2 Ice Cream Parlour – which will be joining in another Aberdeen Inspired initiative, Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, which starts on Monday, September 2.
“Local businesses in Aberdeen are at the very heart of our communities and we have some amazing local businesses here today – including Mackie’s Ice Cream, which is a great north-east company,” he said.
“I love Aberdeen so much because it is different from other places in terms of the offering. If you go to certain parts of the country, you don’ find local bakers anymore. But Aberdeen is awash with some of the best local bakeries going, be that Ross of Chapel Street, or JG Ross, or Thain’s.
“The reason these businesses have remained here is because they have been supported by the community here. So, if you’ve got the opportunity, get off your iPads and your phone, stop using Amazon and shop local”
Kevin Stewart MSP, presents Danuta Dobrzanska, of Aberdeen Inspired, with a copy of his Holyrood motion praising the Umbrella Project at Shiprow. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Kevin also shared his enthusiasm for the Aberdeen Gift Card project.
“That Aberdeen Inspired has been at the forefront of this is immensely impressive and to be celebrated. Schemes like this can do a huge amount in promoting businesses locally.
“And that the Aberdeen Gift Card is the best of the best in terms of these islands is quite something.”
Kevin also presented Aberdeen Inspired’s business engagement manager, Danuta Dobrzanska with a copy of his motion passed at Holryood praising the Business Improvement District’s Umbrella Project.
The project, in partnership with the ADHD Foundation, aims to celebrate and raise awareness of neurodiversity in a number of ways including the colourful canopy of umbrellas at Shiprow.
Kevin said: “That Aberdeen Inspired has continued with this project over a number of years is immensely important because we have to recognize the differences that people have and neurodiverse people are often overlooked by society and we need to do better in terms of equality.
“So anything to publicise neurodiversity is a good thing, in my book, and I think Aberdeen Inspired has been ahead of the game here, in cooperation with the ADHD Foundation.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive, of Aberdeen Inspired. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, welcomed the support of both politicians for Scotland Loves Local, led by STP and supported by the Scottish Government.
“It was great to catch up with Kirsty and Kevin again and have their support for all that Aberdeen Inspired and partners are doing for our city centre.
We are blessed with a rich range of traders, businesses, shops and attractions all of which need people to come through their door from across the city and region to support them. Scotland Loves Local is an ideal way for everyone to show their thanks and to celebrate what these vital businesses do to make our city better, stronger and more vibrant.”
People, businesses and other organisations can sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge by going to www.lovelocal.scot/pledge.