Latest news with #ScotlandLovesLocal
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling's historic businesses and personalities to be celebrated in new collaboration
Go Forth Stirling BID, Historic Environment Scotland and Stirling Council have joined forces to celebrate the role that local businesses play in local life. The tales of peop,e and historic businesses at the core of Stirling are set to be unveiled as part of a new partnership. Go Forth Stirling BID and Historic Environment Scotland (HES), backed by Stirling Council, are teaming up to honour the contribution local businesses make to community life. In the coming months, they'll be collecting photos and stories from over the years, aided by HES' new Trove platform, which boasts a vast archive of historic images. These will then be used to highlight the characters who have moulded – and continue to be at the heart of – the city's business scene. The start of the project was celebrated at Stirling Castle ahead of Scotland Loves Local Week, kicking off next Saturday, August 23, with the fitting theme of People Make Places. Go Forth Stirling is among the week's supporters. Danielle McRorie-Smith, the director of the business improvement district, said: "Local businesses - and the people behind them - are part of the story of everyone's lives. "We have fantastic businesses in Stirling, many of which are family-run and have been with us for a good number of years, thanks to the dedication of their staff and support from local people. This is a nice way to see how they've evolved and celebrate their part in our city. "Collaborating with Historic Environment Scotland is a great way not only to reflect on the personalities who have helped make the city what it is, but to look forward at how support for our local people and place is shaping a positive future too." In addition to working with Go Forth Stirling on this project, HES is also a strategic partner of Scotland's Towns Partnership, the organisation leading the Scotland Loves Local campaign. Its Trove platform is a new digital portal for the historic environment, bringing together millions of HES's unique and diverse collections of information, images, video, spatial data and archival material in one convenient location for the first time. From ancient standing stones to modern skate parks, encompasses more than 5,000 years of Scotland's history, combining designation records of Scotland's most significant historic sites and buildings, as well as educational and archival images. Chris Jones, Head of Central Region for Historic Environment Scotland, said: "It's great to have been part of the launch activities for this year's Scotland Loves Local Week. This is a really important initiative which puts the spotlight on local businesses which form a key part of the make-up of Stirling, a long tradition which goes back many years, as demonstrated in many wonderful assets seen today. "It's fitting that this took place at the castle, as not only a key symbol of the city, but also part of Stirling's retail offer, with the castle shops helping to highlight a number of Scottish businesses to the many thousands of visitors who visit each year. We very much wish everyone involved with this year's initiative well." To back the scheme, Stirling Council is exploring its extensive archives containing documents and materials spanning from the 14th century through to today. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: "The creativity, innovation and resilience of Stirling's business community have shaped the history of the city and Scotland. "This exciting project is a wonderful way to celebrate that legacy by bringing their stories to life and shining a light on the incredible people behind them. "We're delighted to support it and champion our amazing businesses and communities. I know what's uncovered will be of huge interest to many people. "It's also an opportunity to show how the Stirling region, powered by its enduring entrepreneurial spirit, is looking to the future with confidence and optimism, ready to create more history."
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New initiative to celebrate Stirling's historic businesses
Organisation Go Forth Stirling BID and Historic Environment Scotland (HES), with the support of Stirling Council, are joining forces to celebrate the role that local businesses play in local life. Over the next few months, they will be gathering photographs and stories from throughout the years, supported by HES' new Trove platform, which features an extensive archive of historic photographs. They will then be used to showcase the personalities who have shaped - and remain at the centre of - business life in the city. READ MORE: The start of work was marked at Stirling Castle ahead of Scotland Loves Local Week, which begins next Saturday (August 23), with the appropriate theme of People Make Places. Go Forth Stirling is among the week's supporters. Danielle McRorie-Smith, the business improvement district's director, said: 'Local businesses - and the people behind them - are part of the story of everyone's lives. 'We have fantastic businesses in Stirling, many of which are family-run and have been with us for a good number of years, thanks to the dedication of their staff and support from local people. This is a nice way to see how they've evolved and celebrate their part in our city. 'Collaborating with Historic Environment Scotland is a great way not only to reflect on the personalities who have helped make the city what it is, but to look forward at how support for our local people and place is shaping a positive future too.' As well as collaborating with Go Forth Stirling on this project, HES is also a strategic partner of Scotland's Towns Partnership, the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local. The start of work was marked at Stirling Castle ahead of Scotland Loves Local Week (Image: Supplied) Its Trove platform is a new digital portal for the historic environment which brings together millions of HES's unique and diverse collections of information, images, video, spatial data and archival material in one convenient place for the first time. From standing stones to skate parks, contains more than 5,000 years of Scotland's history, from combining designation records of Scotland's most important historic sites and buildings, to educational and archival images. Chris Jones, Head of Central Region for Historic Environment Scotland, said: 'It's great to have been part of the launch activities for this year's Scotland Loves Local Week. This is a really important initiative which puts the spotlight on local businesses which form a key part of the make-up of Stirling, a long tradition which goes back many years, as demonstrated in many wonderful assets seen today. 'It's fitting that this took place at the castle, as not only a key symbol of the city, but also part of Stirling's retail offer, with the castle shops helping to highlight a number of Scottish businesses to the many thousands of visitors who visit each year. We very much wish everyone involved with this year's initiative well.' To support the project, Stirling Council is delving into rich archives which contains recor and materials dating from the 14 th century to the present day Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: 'The creativity, innovation and resilience of Stirling's business community have shaped the history of the city and Scotland. 'This exciting project is a wonderful way to celebrate that legacy by bringing their stories to life and shining a light on the incredible people behind them. 'We're delighted to support it and champion our amazing businesses and communities. I know what's uncovered will be of huge interest to many people. 'It's also an opportunity to show how the Stirling region, powered by its enduring entrepreneurial spirit, is looking to the future with confidence and optimism, ready to create more history.'
The Herald Scotland
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Support for local businesses in Scotland 'stronger than ever'
As restrictions began to ease, its call to action and support for enterprises and community organisations was credited with helping to rebuild confidence among consumers, protecting the future of local businesses and saving jobs. And the organisation which spearheads the drive says its legacy is a wave of "continued positive action", with people encouraged to act to create stronger, more successful and sustainable communities, as well as an initiative which is locking millions of pounds into local economies. Having evolved from an emergency response campaign, Scotland Loves Local is now a broader mission to secure long-term economic prosperity for places - reminding people that the simple act of choosing local provides the foundation for encouraging innovation and investment in the future. READ MORE: Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which champions the role that towns have at the heart of national life and the economy, continues to lead the movement with support from the Scottish Government. Professor Leigh Sparks, a retail academic who is also STP's chair, said: 'Whilst we all had high hopes that Scotland Loves Local would resonate and have an impact, the reality was far more powerful than we had anticipated. It hit the spot with many people, consumers, communities and businesses. 'Five years ago, we did not anticipate that Scotland Loves Local would be such a success and broaden beyond its original conception. 'Its purpose though remains the same - building a movement to support local businesses and local communities by tying together local spending.' And it is one which supporters say could hold even greater importance with a Community Wealth Building Bill - including proposals which would place statutory requirements on local authorities to support local businesses - working its way through the Scottish Parliament. Professor Leigh Sparks, Chair of Scotland's Towns Partnership (Image: Scotland's Towns Partnership) 'Scotland Loves Local is the essence of community wealth building,' added Prof Sparks, who was also author of the New Future for Scotland's Towns report for the Scottish Government in 2021, which led to the importance of towns and town centres being strengthened in national planning policies. The success of the initiative in triggering community action in encouraging people to choose local led to the rollout of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, in partnership with Perth-based fintech Miconex. Since its launch in 2021, it has driven more than £16 million in spending directly into local businesses across Scotland. With work underway to develop that further - technologically, as well as targeting new Scottish diaspora worldwide to support Scotland's places and expanding its use across the transport network and among visitor attractions - STP is confident that its worth will continue to grow. 'The more we can think about how we use the card in more places - more different types of places - across Scotland, the more that reinforces the sense of place, but also how people tie into place,' Prof Sparks explained. READ MORE: 'That's the important thing about the gift card and Scotland Loves Local.' The 'love local' banner is one which many organisations have embraced to encourage people to enhance their towns as places to live, work, visit and play. Members of Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) were among those who were the faces of Scotland Loves Local's launch, telling their stories about the importance of choosing local. Wendy Ross, owner of Ruby Red and Driftwood - a neighbouring gift shop and boutique in the town centre - was one of them. Such was the support five years ago - and since - that she believes the town is in a stronger place than it was pre-pandemic. • Milngavie business owner Wendy Ross outside Ruby Red gift store (Image: Scotland's Towns Partnership) 'With the Scotland Loves Local campaign, and our successful BID in Milngavie, encouraging people it's made people an awful lot closer,' said Ms Ross, who has been in business for 19 years. 'It feels more of a community now. "With the hard work that we've all done, Milngavie is a much better place to come and visit than it was five years ago. The place is looking the best it ever has.' Much of the work that is taking place to transform towns - including creating new homes, rejuvenating formerly derelict blights as part of community-led action and repurposing redundant retail units for leisure, hospitality and offices while encouraging more people into town centres - will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local Week next month. Prof Sparks, who is Professor of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling's Institute for Retail Studies, said: 'If you think about Scotland's towns, we spent 50 years destroying them in many ways by the way we disaggregated and decentralised a lot of the way we live, shop and work. We're now trying to rebuild that. 'If we look at individuals, community groups, local authorities and Business Improvement Districts, we have a network of people doing great things around our town centres to drive them forward. 'We should be encouraged with what's happening and we should be encouraging people more in the way that they do it. 'Town centres are great places. We've got massive innovation in lots of our town centres. We just need now to build on that, get more of it and get everyone pulling in the same direction.' For more information about Scotland Loves Local and the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card visit
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Celebrating Lanarkshire in Scotland Loves Local Week
Celebrating Lanarkshire in Scotland Loves Local Week People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. Scotland's Towns Partnership Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie, left, and chair Professor Leigh Sparks (Image: WSH] ) Organisations across the region are being urged to celebrate their places as part of major drive encouraging people to 'choose local'. The people who make Lanarkshire's communities so special will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local Week. People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. A week of activities, including social media campaigning and political visits, will highlight the transformational difference of choosing local - supporting friends, family and neighbours by getting behind the businesses which are the fabric of communities. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Residents across Lanarkshire are being encouraged to take part, championing the message to think local first - celebrating the people who make their places. Article continues below Scotland Loves Local Week is organised 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. Kimberley Guthrie, STP's Chief Officer, said: 'People are at the heart of our places, driving the ideas, projects and development that will breathe new life into communities across the region and throughout Scotland. 'Scotland Loves Local Week is the chance to shout about the great things that are happening where you live - and the people whose innovation, determination and dedication, make Lanarkshire the great place it is. Health experts advising people to remember to take care in the sun as temperatures soar READ MORE: 'Whether it be the team from the family business which has been part of the community for generations, or a trailblazing development, this is a chance to highlight why it's so important to get behind what they are doing to create better places - all the while supporting the jobs of the people around us.' 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 STP with support from the Scottish Government. More information about how to get involved in Scotland Loves Local Week is available at or by emailing info@ Article continues below *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Celebrating West Lothian in Scotland Loves Local Week
People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. Organisations across the region are being urged to celebrate their places as part of major drive encouraging people to 'choose local'. The people who make West Lothian communities so special will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local Week. People Make Places is the theme for this year's events, which take place from Saturday, August 23. A week of activities, including social media campaigning and political visits, will highlight the transformational difference of choosing local - supporting friends, family and neighbours by getting behind the businesses which are the fabric of communities. Residents across West Lothian are being encouraged to take part, championing the message to think local first - celebrating the people who make their places. Scotland Loves Local Week is organised 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. Kimberley Guthrie, STP's Chief Officer, said: 'People are at the heart of our places, driving the ideas, projects and development that will breathe new life into communities across the region and throughout Scotland. 'Scotland Loves Local Week is the chance to shout about the great things that are happening where you live - and the people whose innovation, determination and dedication, make West Lothian the great place it is. 'Whether it be the team from the family business which has been part of the community for generations, or a trailblazing development, this is a chance to highlight why it's so important to get behind what they are doing to create better places - all the while supporting the jobs of the people around us.' 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 STP with support from the Scottish Government. More information about how to get involved in Scotland Loves Local Week is available at or by emailing info@
