East Lothian Council’s Stay Safe, Support Local, Love East Lothian campaign to encourage local people to fully explore the range of quality businesses across the county has taken on a festive theme.
Added to the existing range of posters available on the council website for businesses to download and display is a new Christmas shop local version called Happy Holidays.
Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesperson for Economic Development, said: “As East Lothian will be moving into Tier Two of the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 restrictions next week, it means we are as confident as we can be that our shops can stay open at this crucial time of year.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have seen many local businesses adapt and have a greater online presence including new websites, online ordering facilities and new local delivery services. Whether for convenience or because some people can’t or don’t want to visit the shops in person, these innovations have proved popular and have been a lifeline for businesses of all types and will continue to play an important part in festive trade.
“I would encourage all East Lothian residents to think about shopping locally as much as possible, particularly for their seasonal shopping. Whether it’s gifts, homeware, or the finest food for the Christmas dinner table, they will find the best of the best in East Lothian. Our Stay Safe, Support Local, Love East Lothian campaign supports that message.
“As well as providing a range of posters for businesses to use, the council’s campaign will support similar messages from groups including East Lothian, Scotland’s Food & Drink County, the East Lothian Tourism Attractions Group and the East Lothian Courier and we will issue a range of posts on social media to encourage local people and businesses to share their local shopping experiences. For inspiration check Visit East Lothian where you will find blogs and Christmas present ideas.
“We’ll also be helping to promote the East Lothian Gift Card, which, as always, is an ideal Christmas gift and can be spent by the recipient in a range of shops, services and hospitality businesses. It will be valid to spend throughout 2021 when we will hopefully see a return to something more like normality and we will be very much open for business across the board in East Lothian.” www.eastlothiangiftcard.co.uk
As well as the shop local campaign, the council continues to support local businesses through the payment of government Hardship and Business Interruption grants, following on from the payment of more than £18 million in Business Support Grants and Hardship Grants during lockdown.
We will continue to update our website with details of other funding streams available plus the direct support always available through our Business Gateway and Economic Development teams. For more information, visit www.eastlothian.gov.uk/supportgrants or email us at economicdevelopment@eastlothian.gov.uk or for queries specific to funding support email hardshipgrants@eastlothian.gov.uk
For a range of support to run your business safely during the pandemic, visit www.eastlothian.gov.uk/coronavirus