£1 million fund to support community shopping and promote town centres
Bruce Crawford MSP and Alyn Smith MP have encouraged projects in Stirling to apply for a new £1 million fund, which has been launched by the SNP Scottish Government to help promote town centres and online businesses and encourage people to spend locally.
Grants of between £500 and £5000 will be given out as part of the ‘Scotland Loves Local’ scheme, which aims to enable visitors and residents to safely shop, eat and relax within communities.
The funding aims to support small scale improvements that will help motivate people to shop, eat and relax within their community whilst ensuring public health safety, and can be used for measures such as protective screens, physical distancing markers, hand sanitising equipment and PPE.
Bruce Crawford MSP said:
‘Amidst this pandemic, more and more people in Stirling have rediscovered the joy of shopping local, supporting their independent stores through these tough economic times. Stirling really is home to some brilliant businesses, and we all have a role to play to see them survive and thrive in the months and years ahead.
‘I warmly welcome this Scottish Government campaign, aimed at grant support to boost town centres and shopping in our community. The grants of between £500 and £5,000 will encourage people to think how they can safely support people to shop, eat and relax within their community whilst ensuring public health safety.’
Alyn Smith MP said:
‘This £1 million “Scotland Loves Local’ campaign – delivered by the Scottish Government – is an exciting opportunity for local projects and locally-based online businesses to support town centres and promote their local community.’
‘I’ve visited many businesses across the constituency, and several have reported an increase in local traffic and custom. If this pandemic has taught us all anything, it’s the importance of local businesses to the resilience of our communities.’
Notes:
https://www.scotlandstowns.org/scotland_loves_local_fund_application_form_and_guidance
The funding is being provided by the Scottish Government and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. Applications to the fund open Sunday October 18th and close on Friday November 25th.
