Fife Council supports Scotland Loves Local Week

An extra £19.2m could be driven directly into Fife’s economy if everyone in the region spent just £1-a-week more with local businesses.

The significant financial difference that can be made - safeguarding the future of businesses and protecting jobs - has been highlighted as part of Scotland Loves Local Week.

Businesses and organisations across the region are championing the transformational impact of choosing local as part of a series of events, themed on People Make Places, running until Saturday (August 30).

Cowdenbeath businessman and hot sauce maker Ewan MacKenzie, owner of Something Different and dubbed the ‘The Red Hot Chilli Fifer’ due to his fiery creations, has customers from all over the world eager to sample his sauces, but local support is still of critical importance.

“I have a lot of regular customers and I am constantly trying new ideas, putting together new combinations to see what works and what doesn’t," he said.

“As a business owner I am always thinking of new ways to promote the business and reach new people, but it’s so important that local people support local businesses. I’ve been saying for years - use us or lose us.”

Also getting behind the rallying cry to choose local is Mariela Dominguez-Leandro, owner of sustainable living store Ostara in St Andrews.

She said: “Local businesses enrich the town and make it vibrant - we give towns their character. St Andrews has its own unique style and small businesses like Ostara contribute to that.

“We try to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, but we are lucky as our customers are very loyal and have supported us on our journey over the years to become a sustainable shop. We are always grateful for local support and try to provide a tailored experience to every customer.”

Councillor Altany Craik, Spokesperson for Finance, Economy and Strategic Planning at Fife Council said: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a great opportunity and important reminder to come out and support your local high streets. It is an opportunity to spend with local businesses, supporting the people who run them and keeping that money locked into local economies.”

The call to think local first is championed by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) - the organisation behind Scotland Loves Local - with support from the Scottish Government.

STP has calculated that, if every person in Scotland were to spend just £1 more per week with local businesses in their area, an additional £282.7m would be generated annually.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The reality is that this is just the tip of the iceberg of what can be achieved for Fife. If £1 more every week can make a transformational impact to the people who make our places, just imagine what is truly possible by choosing local even more.

“Money stays local for longer when you spend with local businesses. The multiplier effect is massive. These businesses spend with other businesses, who employ other local people, who then spend with other local businesses. Every penny spent is an investment in the future of the region.

“The jobs and livelihoods of your neighbours, friends and family depend on you doing so.”

STP champions the critical part that towns and local neighbourhoods play in creating a better Scotland and the need to invest in them.

Scotland Loves Local is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area.

Throughout Scotland Loves Local Week, politicians will be visiting businesses across the region to celebrate the work that they do.

More information getting involved is available at www.lovelocal.scot or by emailing info@lovelocal.scot.

Our picture shows Ewan MacKenzie, owner of Something Different in Cowdenbeath pictured with Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council.