£9.5m impact of spending just £1-a-week more with Renfrewshire’s local businesses

An extra £9.5m-a-year could be driven directly into Renfrewshire’s economy if everyone in the region spent just £1-a-week more with local businesses.

The significant financial difference that can be made – safeguarding the future of businesses and protecting jobs – has been highlighted as part of Scotland Loves Local Week.

Another £5m-a-year could be injected into East Renfrewshire’s economy with the additional £1-a-week spend there.

Businesses in Paisley – some of the highest-profile advocates of Scotland Loves Local nationally – believe the figures highlight the transformational impact of backing local businesses on the region’s future.

Elaine Templeton, Chair of Paisley First Business Improvement District, said: “Every pound you spend locally is a vote for the people who make Paisley special.

“By supporting local, we are choosing to back local businesses and the people behind them.

“Behind every shopfront is someone’s neighbour, friend or family – so let’s support the people who make Paisley great this Scotland Loves Local Week.

“As well as thinking local first, you can spread the word with friends and family, engage with local businesses on social media, leave a positive review online, buy vouchers and gift cards and attend local events.”

Paisley First will also unveil the winners of its Love Paisley Star Awards during Scotland Loves Local Week, which runs until Saturday, with the theme of People Make Places.

Spex Appeal, of Paisley High Street, is among the businesses championing the message for people to choose local.

Manager Jill Roddie said: “If local people don’t get behind us, our businesses are not going to be here.

“Local businesses support local people. By supporting them, you’re helping the whole community.”

Paisley’s STV weather presenter, Sean Batty, is an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local and is promoting Scotland Loves Local Week nationally.

He said: “People really do make places – and with a little determination, and a whole lot of heart, there are people who go above and beyond in every community just to make things better for all of us.

“Local businesses are magical. They’re at the heart of communities – and we can all make a positive difference to everyone’s future by getting behind them.

“Scotland Loves Local Week is a fantastic chance to shine a spotlight on them and the other organisations working to make the places we call home better.”

The call to think local first is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) – the organisation behind Scotland Loves Local – with support from the Scottish Government.

STP has calculated that, if every person in Scotland were to spend just £1 more per week with local businesses in their area, an additional £282.7m would be generated annually.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The reality is that £9.5m is the tip of the iceberg of what can be achieved in Renfrewshire. If £1 more every week can make a transformational impact to the people who make our places, just imagine what is truly possible by choosing local even more.

“Money stays local for longer when you spend with local businesses.The multiplier effect is massive. These businesses spend with other businesses, who employ other local people, who then spend with other local businesses. Every penny spent is an investment in the future of your area.

“The jobs and livelihoods of your neighbours, friends and family depend on you doing so.”

STP champions the critical part that towns and local neighbourhoods play in creating a better Scotland and the need to invest in them.

Scotland Loves Local is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area.

Throughout Scotland Loves Local Week, politicians will be visiting businesses across the region to celebrate the work that they do.

More information getting involved is available at www.lovelocal.scot

Photo: Paisley Gift Cart store
Photo Credit: Scotland’s Towns Partnership

Photo: Elaine Templeton, owner of Taste Buds cafe and chair of Paisley First BID with one of the resusable cups being distributed as part of a project to choose reuse involving the BID and Zero Waste Scotland
Photo Credit: Scotland’s Towns Partnership

Photo: Jill Roddie, practice manager – Spex Appeal
Photo Credit: Scotland’s Towns Partnership

Photo: Taste Buds – Staff ember poses with the reusable cups that are being distributed as part of a project to choose reuse involving the BID and Zero Waste Scotland
Photo Credit: Scotland’s Towns Partnership