BORDERERS are being urged to keep spend local this festive season and support businesses on our high streets by using the Scotland Loves Local Scottish Borders gift card.
The gift card has been launched to support local independent businesses after the COVID-19 pandemic and is now available to use across a wide variety of Borders businesses in the run up to Christmas.
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This includes fantastic products, services and experiences unique to the Scottish Borders.
Members of the public can order a gift card for themselves or to gift to someone else here.
One independent retailer that has already signed up to the scheme is outdoor clothing company FINDRA, based in Innerleithen.
Alex Feechan, fashion designer and owner of FINDRA Clothing, said: “Like many businesses, the run up to Christmas is a key retail period for FINDRA, as we look to take advantage of increased footfall and maximise profits throughout this time.
“When the Scotland Loves Local gift card was announced for the Scottish Borders I registered FINDRA immediately as I knew the initiative could have a really positive impact on our business.
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“Shopping locally is vital to the ongoing success and existence of small independent retailers who are the lifeblood of the high streets in towns and villages across the Scottish Borders, it also offers the consumer a great opportunity to find something unique and unusual that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.
“Registering was so easy and straightforward and my advice to any local businesses out there in the Scottish Borders who haven’t already signed up is to take advantage whilst you still can.”
Businesses across the region can sign up to the free scheme and boost their income over the festive period by visiting www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Executive Member for Community & Business Development at Scottish Borders Council, said: “The Borders boasts an amazing variety of independent businesses who offer world class products, unique experiences and unrivalled services and their presence across the towns and villages of the region contribute to what makes this part of the country so special and unique.
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“It has never been more important to show our support for local businesses who have experienced a tough couple of years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Scotland Loves Local gift card is a perfect opportunity to support them.
“If you are a business owner in the Borders who hasn’t already signed up to the free scheme, I would also encourage you to take advantage of the initiative like other local businesses are now doing and maximise your profits over a busy shopping period.”
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