Scotland loves local week
Together with businesses and local community groups, we will promote the first ever Scotland Loves Local Week, with a social media campaign featuring a series of videos, messaging and a competition to celebrate all that is good about supporting local business, community and environment in East Ayrshire.
The national campaign launched by Scotland's Towns Partnership, runs from 28 August until 3 September 2023 with further promotion continuing throughout September.
It will become an annual event to promote and encourage people to shop local and support their own communities.
In East Ayrshire we are working with Kilmarnock Business Association, Cumnock Business Association and local community groups to produce an innovative local campaign featuring businesses and organisations to build support for local commerce.
Read our press release: Shopping local for Scotland Loves Local Week
Our highlights
We'll be running a social media campaign emphasising the economic benefits of supporting local organisations with lots of exciting content to look out for including:
- a spotlight feature visiting Mauchline’s Mossgiel Farm which uses pioneering eco friendly methods to produce premium milk from pedigree Ayrshire cows
- Supertattie – our school meals mascot will also feature, while STV’s popular weather presenter Sean Batty will visit the area to support community businesses using local produce and creating sustainable jobs to boost the local economy
- for shoppers, there’s also an opportunity to take part in a free competition to win one of three £50 East Ayrshire Gift Cards
To enter the competition, shoppers can pop into a participating local shop, buy anything they like and scan a QR code to enter the draw. The business which records the highest number of scans will also receive a £50 giftcard, plus a spotlight on social media at the end of September.
Get involved
Share the love local message by liking and sharing our messaging across X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram using the hashtags #ScotlandLovesLocal #ChooseLocal and #LoveLocalEA.
If you would like further information or to join the campaign, please email towncentreregeneration@east-ayrshire.gov.uk and request a free campaign toolkit.
The shop local message
Shop Local is a message which most people now understand and we are familiar with the benefits of using our high streets and supporting independent traders and local companies, keeping money circulating in the community.
By choosing to buy from a local business, or eating and drinking in a local coffee shop, restaurant or pub, we’re helping to keep our:
- neighbours in jobs
- streets vibrant
- buildings in a good state of repair and
- we’re supporting our local economy
Buying local produce also helps our farming community, supports local artists and crafts people, and gives them the scope to develop and grow their businesses. And it’s eco-friendly – shopping locally cuts transport costs and helps minimise pollution.
Getting out and about in our town centre gives us a chance to connect with each other and have an experience that being online can't give us.
Follow us on social media
Please like, share and follow us on our Love Local East Ayrshire channels linked below.