The Lord Provost of Glasgow joined local MSPs this week to promote local businesses. 

During Scotland Loves Local Week, Lord Provost Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, MSP Bob Doris and MSP Paul Sweeney visited Saracen Street in the Southside, to showcase great local people and enterprises and highlight the critical need for residents to support them.

Glasgow Times:

Meeting with local businesses including Homecare, Forever Flowers and the award-winning Craft Butcher Walker’s, the Lord Provost said: “Glasgow is home to vibrant and diverse businesses who contribute so much locally.

"Over the course of the pandemic and since, traders such as those I met on Saracen Street, have been a vital lifeline for communities.

"My message for Scotland Loves Local Week and beyond, is to get out there and see first-hand the professionalism of local traders, and the quality of products and services we have available on our doorstep.

"Choosing to shop local and promoting localism is one way we can all help to achieve a fairer, greener and more prosperous city."

Glasgow Times:

In the summer of 2022, Glasgow City Council distributed Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Cards worth £105 to 85,000 low-income households across the city to support people and families during the cost-of-living crisis.

Bob Doris MSP said: “I was delighted to meet traders and hear first-hand of the challenges they face but also the fantastic work they are doing to support the local community through initiatives like Remaking Saracen.

"By getting behind high street businesses, we can keep money circulating in local economies and support a sustainable future.

"For areas like Possilpark it’s about reminding everyone about some of the excellent traders who provide a quality service for customers, as well as improving the area to make it an even better place to live, work and visit."

Glasgow Times:

The Scotland Loves Local Campaign has been spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), with this week’s visit organised by Remaking Saracen, a pioneering project of the Possilpark Business Improvement District (BID).

Brian Kelly, Chairman of Possilpark BID and owner of Eyepad Opticians on Saracen Street, said: "I am grateful that our local elected representatives joined us to celebrate and promote local businesses, and to reaffirm their commitment to working together for positive change.

"We always hear people say how much potential Saracen Street has. Scotland Love Local Week is about getting people to choose local again, to create stronger communities and better places."

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s interim chief officer, added: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a nationwide celebration of local excellence and it is fantastic that we’ve welcomed more than 50 MSPs and MPs from across the country into businesses, social enterprises and community-led organisations to showcase the great spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation we have here in Scotland.

"The simple act of choosing local has a profound effect, laying the foundations of a new future for towns and neighbourhoods as we seize and create opportunities to make them stronger and more sustainable.

“We need everyone to step forward and make a difference. Your community needs you"”