Businesses heed plea to sign up for Moray shop local scheme

MORAY businesses have been flocking to sign up to a scheme encouraging people to support local businesses as part of the recovery from the pandemic.

The Scotland Loves Local Fund, which Moray Council has signed up for, aims to encourage people to think local first, and support businesses and enterprises in their community. Scotland Loves Local is backed by the Scottish Government in a bid to drive forward town centre regeneration.

In Moray, a gift card has been launched which can only be used in participating businesses in the region and helping keep spending local.

News that the scheme had already been well received by Moray firms was warmly welcomed by Moray councillor Sonya Warren (Buckie, SNP) who had enquired as to the progress of the scheme at the recent economic development and infrastructure services committee meeting. She was told that 100 firms had already signed on the dotted line for the initiative, with a promotional series of videos with registered businesses due to be filmed before the consumer launch in November.

She said: "I welcome the numbers of businesses registering for this, it's a complementary scheme for businesses to join this year.

"It's a fantastic way of keeping folks' hard earned money within Moray and supporting local businesses.

"It really does support the local economy and hence local jobs.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the promotional videos and I hope our community will support our love local and support our local shops."

Among the partners already promoting the scheme via their networks are Business Gateway, Moray Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, Moray Speyside Tourism and Elgin BID.

For more information about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card - including how to sign up - go to www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard

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