Local business owners like baker Petru Blaj are ready and excited to be a part of a new cost-of-living gift card scheme that rolls out this week.
Scotland Loves Local gift cards worth £105 are expected to start arriving in the post for eligible households that receive a council tax discount.
The cards, issued by Glasgow City Council, are intended to have a double benefit for communities by both supporting low-income households and local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic.
READ MORE: Glasgow households receive £105 gift cards as cost of living scheme rolls out
Brave Bakers, on Saltmarket, is one of more than 700 businesses signed up to accept the gift cards.
Owner Mr Blaj told The Glasgow Times the pandemic was really difficult for Brave Bakers because it was classified as retail and had to close during every lockdown.
Mr Blaj said: “It was definitely not the easiest of times.
“So, we had to improvise, we had to improve, we had to go and experiment with new things and try our best in order to get through that and keep doing what we are doing, and offer the same level of services.
“And the most important thing, especially for me, is to manage to keep the entire team together.”
Mr Blaj shared his gratitude for the support his business received during hard times.
He said: “Our customers and friends, they’ve been absolutely lovely.
“They came in and supported us, they spent money with us, and they just gave us the impulse that we are making what we should be making, we are on a good track, and people really enjoy what we do.
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“So that was a really important confidence boost.
“People are fantastic. People really make Glasgow.”
Mr Blaj said he thinks the gift card scheme is a good way of helping the community during financial crisis because “I think every little thing helps".
He added: “Support local businesses and local businesses will do their best in order to give something back to the community.”
Businesses are still able to sign up for the gift card scheme but are urged to do so now as the cards are rolling out.
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