Small Business Saturday
After a very challenging period for all businesses across the country, Ms Forbes has encouraged people to think local this festive season while adhering to the essential public health restrictions, including taking a lateral flow test before socialising or meeting other households, that are in place to help keep everyone safe. To help limit the spread of Covid, people are being asked to take up the offer of vaccination and boosters when eligible, wash their hands regularly and wear a face covering when in stores.
– Graeme
Small local businesses are the heart of high streets across Angus South. Given the disruption of the Covid pandemic, it is important that we do all we can to support local businesses, who give so much back to their communities. I encourage all my constituents to think local and shop local safely this winter.
The Scottish Government is encouraging people to go out and support all types of small local businesses, including those which trade online, in stores or in offices.
– Economy Secretary Kate Forbes
Small businesses are a crucial part of our economy, providing more than 900,000 jobs across the country. As well as creating jobs and supporting our wider economy, small business plays a vital role in our local economies and helps create thriving communities. During the pandemic, much was made of shopping local and my sincere hope is that on this Small Business Saturday we continue to remember that message.
We need to maximise support for businesses to ensure that consumers, where possible, are choosing to buy locally, as well as adhering to the necessary public health measures in place to keep people and businesses as safe as possible this winter. When planning to socialise or meet people from other households, we strongly encourage people to take a lateral flow test as well as taking up the offer of vaccination or booster when eligible, wearing a face covering and washing their hands regularly.
The Scottish Government is committed to creating a fairer, healthier, greener, inclusive and more sustainable economy and supporting businesses to thrive as we recover from the pandemic.
The Scottish Government has taken measures to rebuild the economy following the pandemic, including through the work of the retail strategy, the Town Centre Review and City Centre Recovery Taskforce, as well as the Scotland Loves Local (SLL) £10 million five year support programme.
The Programme includes a fund, a national marketing campaign and gift card scheme. It will support local firms including online businesses, helping to revitalise cities, town centres and neighbourhoods across Scotland.
