Fife Provost flies the flag for choosing local

The former football manager and now honorary director and chairman of Dunfermline Athletic has urged everyone living in Fife to back local enterprise and with it help strengthen the community.

As Scotland prepares to back the men’s national football side during this year’s World Cup, the Provost has also urged people to back the country’s local business week, which begins on Jun 13, hours before Steve Clarke’s side kick off against Haiti.

With national pride surging at the moment, the team at Scotland Loves Local is encouraging people to take the time to celebrate in local pride as well.

Backing local business can be as simple as shopping within an independently-owned store while gathering supplies for a World Cup party, or even staying local when heading out to watch the match on the big screen. The more often people stay local, the greater level of support given to the wider community.

Povost Leishman said: “In Fife, we’re proud of our communities and the people who keep them going day in, day out. Our local businesses are at the heart of that.

“With Scotland heading to the World Cup, there’s a real buzz about the place, and it’s the perfect time to get behind the shops, cafes and venues on our own doorstep. Local businesses give the place its life and character, and they need our backing.

“If we all make the effort to choose local, even in small ways, it helps our high streets and town centres thrive.”

Kimberley Guthrie is chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local.

She said: “It is easy to underestimate the impact of local people supporting local businesses, and local businesses supporting one another. Yet every one of us can play a remarkable role in driving community wealth and building stronger, more resilient communities simply by choosing to do so.”

For more information on Scotland Loves Local visit the website.