Waterstones Aberdeen branch manager Wayne Thomson, Chris Krawczyk from Superdry Aberdeen, Jamie Coutts from Sostrene Green and Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson fly the flag for Aberdeen businesses outside Bon Accord Shopping Centre. Image - Courtesy of Scotland’s Towns Partnership
Aberdeen Inspired says local support for businesses in the Granite City has never been needed more.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of the city centre Business Improvement District, highlighted the critical difference that choosing local makes ahead of Scotland Loves Local Week (June 13-20)
With national pride riding high as Scotland prepare to kick-off their World Cup campaign in the USA, enterprises and organisations in the city and across the country are encouraging people to celebrate local pride as well - helping to protect businesses, jobs and building a stronger future for their community
Ahead of the week, members of Aberdeen Inspired Business Improvement District gathered in Bon Accord Centre to make the call, and to fly the flag for everyone to spend locally and think local first.
Adrian said: “Every time someone chooses to spend with a local business, they are making an investment in Aberdeen’s future.
“Scotland Loves Local Week is a timely reminder that the decisions we make every day about where we shop, eat and socialise really do matter.
“As a BID, we do not work in isolation and collaboration is key. We have worked collaboratively with our 600 businesses and partners to deliver for the city, whether it's through the Nuart Aberdeen Festival, Aberdeen Restaurant Week, bringing the world-renowned Tall Ships to Aberdeen, or delivering the UK’s most successful gift card scheme through the Aberdeen Gift Card, which brings millions of pounds into brick and mortar businesses in the city centre.
Jamie Coutts from Sostrene Green is urging Aberdeen to love local. Image - courtesy of Scotland's Towns Partnership
“We know that these are challenging times for our high streets, and we continue to collaborate on issues, for example repurposing vacant buildings, to ensure that our city can thrive.
“Aberdeen has an incredible range of independent businesses alongside national retailers, hospitality and attractions. By thinking local first, residents and visitors alike can play a vital role in helping businesses to thrive and ensure a sustainable future for the city.”
Aberdeen Inspired is also encouraging businesses to get involved in its Paint The Town Tartan campaign, which is seeing city centre premises decorated with tartan bunting, Scottish-themed balloons and messages of support for the Scotland squad.
The initiative aims to create a festive atmosphere in the city centre during the World Cup while encouraging residents and visitors to shop local and support businesses. The campaign has already received backing from Scotland and Aberdeen FC legends Willie Miller and Alex McLeish.
Chris Krawczyk and Maia Davis of Superdry in the Bon Accord Centre are supporting the Scotland Loves Local campaign - and the Aberdeen Gift Card's role in promoting bricks and mortar businesses. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Scotland Loves Local Week is being led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “Aberdeen Inspired does a fantastic job in supporting the city’s business community, really strengthening the local economy. It’s fantastic to see them flying the flag for Scotland Loves Local Week.
“Choosing local is a simple step that we can all take which makes a tremendous difference to the places we call home. Every penny spent is an investment in the future of your community.”
Scotland Loves Local is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area, potentially injecting millions of pounds into regional economies.
It is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which champions the critical part that towns and local neighbourhoods play in creating a stronger, fairer, wealthier Scotland, with support from the Scottish Government.
You can read more about the Paint The Town Tartan campaign at the Aberdeen Inspired website.