Barrhead's MP has commended the work of local businesses as they mark the first Scotland Loves Local Week.

Kirsten Oswald recently visited the Barrhead Business Improvement District and heard about the ongoing work to showcase the town as a positive place to live, work, shop, and visit.

She said: "Local businesses were what kept communities across East Renfrewshire going throughout the pandemic, and Scotland Loves Local Week is our chance to thank them.

"I was pleased to meet with Andy Dunlop, from All About Barrhead and Barrhead’s BID's Manager, and Rebecca Mather, from Scotland's Towns Partnerships, to hear about the fantastic work they are doing to nurture local businesses.

"Loving local means supporting a sustainable future for Barrhead and all our local town centres - making it an even better place to live, work and visit."

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Spearheaded by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation behind the Scotland Loves Local Campaign, Scotland Loves Local Week is showcasing great local people and enterprises, highlighting the critical need for residents to support them to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.

The campaign is running from Monday, August 28 to Sunday, September 3.

Throughout Scotland Loves Local Week, businesses and politicians are joining forces to call on everyone across East Renfrewshire to get behind local businesses in order to help communities tackle the triple challenge of the cost of living crisis, the climate emergency, and the ongoing financial fightback from the coronavirus pandemic.

Kimberley Guthrie, interim chief officer at STP, said: "Scotland Loves Local Week is a nationwide celebration of local excellence and it is fantastic that we’ve welcomed more than 50 MSPs and MPs from across the country into businesses, social enterprises and community-led organisations to showcase the great spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation we have here in Scotland.

"The simple act of choosing local has a profound effect, laying the foundations of a new future for towns and neighbourhoods as we seize and create opportunities to make them stronger and more sustainable.
"We need everyone to step forward and make a difference. Your community needs you."

For more information about Scotland Loves Local Week, visit www.lovelocal.scot.