People in East Dunbartonshire are being urged to help make it a cracker of a Christmas for their loved ones ... and local businesses.
There is a wealth of great shops, service providers and hospitality venues in the towns and villages in the region.
To make it even easier, a new East Dunbartonshire Gift Card is available - helping to take the stress out of the festive season.
The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card programme, funded by the Scottish Government, aims to encourage shoppers to spend in their local communities. Visit Loves local Eas Dunbartonshire gift card for more information.
Businesses can sign up to accept the cards via Loves Local website
As an extra incentive, parking charges will be suspended in the Council's fee-levying car parks in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie on Saturdays 4, 11 and 18 December. There will also be no charges on 25 December.
Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce and Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) were recently shortlisted among the finalists in the inaugural Scotland Loves Local Awards in recognition of their work to deliver the Loves Local campaign in seven locations across Dunbartonshire. Renewed funding has also been awarded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), backed by the Scottish Government and supported by the Council.
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Council Leader, said, "It's important we support the local economy in these challenging times by frequenting the many great shops, service providers and hospitality venues in East Dunbartonshire. The new gift card is a way of showing someone you care whilst also ensuring community businesses benefit."
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Council Leader, added, "I hope as many people as possible can stay local and support our wonderful traders - in the run-up to Christmas and beyond - helping to protect jobs and also the environment by reducing unnecessary journeys. If you're a business, and you haven't already, you can sign up for free to accept the new gift card by visiting Loves local website
Milngavie already has its own gift card scheme - organised by Milngavie BID and powered by Miconex. The East Dunbartonshire Gift Card is intended to complement that scheme and will work in participating Milngavie shops. Visit Milngavie gift card.
Damon Scott, Chief Executive, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, said, "A lot of hard work has taken place to deliver the Loves Local campaign in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and in partnership with Milngavie BID. The gift card scheme is another innovative idea and is now the central focus of our Loves Local activity to encourage as many businesses and shoppers to support it as much as possible."
The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card programme - which is operating in a range of regions - is being delivered by STP, the organisation spearheading the Scotland Loves Local campaign nationally, alongside Miconex.
To find out how to register your business to accept the card, go to Love local website. There are no registration costs and payments are processed as part of the Mastercard network.
STP Chief Officer Phil Prentice said, "These cards allow us to think local, choose local and - critically - spend local. They are a quick and easy way of showing our loyalty and locking money into each region’s economy, protecting jobs, and helping to make our communities stronger and more sustainable."
Pictured (from left): Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody; Stewart Rennie, President of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce; and Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson.
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