CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, was in Melrose ahead of Small Business Saturday this week.
Small Business Saturday is a non-commercial campaign encouraging shoppers across the UK to shop local and support small businesses in their own communities.
Last year, the campaign saw an estimated £1 billion spent with small businesses across the UK on the day, according to estimates from American Express, the campaign’s principal supporter.
Mr Hoy met with Alan McVicker who has run Rhymer Glen Trees near Melrose for over 3 decades, and he encouraged residents to support small businesses in the community in the run-up to Christmas.
Hoy purchased a Norwegian Spruce Christmas tree which he donated to a local charity in the Scottish Borders.
The South Scotland MSP said: “Local businesses in the Borders face unprecedented challenges in the aftermath of covid.
“Footfall is down and out-of-town retail centres are more prominent than ever before. On top of this, supply costs continue to rise due to cost-of-living constraints.
“I would strongly encourage shoppers to show their support for local businesses based in the Borders by shopping on local High Streets and buying from local businesses wherever possible.”
Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “We brought Small Business Saturday to the UK ten years ago as there was a huge need to celebrate the amazing achievements of the fantastic small business community and offer them support through a raft of challenges, and this mission could not be truer or more vital today.
“With small businesses facing incredibly tough times, and many still recovering from the pandemic, it is absolutely critical that the nation gets behind these businesses.”
