Funding Boost For Dunbartonshire's "Loves Local" Campaign

A campaign that encourages support for local economies which were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic is to be extended in Dunbartonshire.

Spearheaded locally by Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, the “Loves Local” campaign will continue in and around seven locations following the success of the initiative and renewed funding from Scottish Towns Partnerships backed by the Scottish Government. Milngavie Business Improvement District, which has been an important partner in Loves Local, has also been awarded additional funding to continue its participation in the campaign.

The promotion of the new Loves Local Gift card will be an integral part of future activity to build on the work undertaken to date. So far this has resulted in creation of six new town/village websites, online business listings and 100,000 Loves Local brochures which has been supported with local advertising, PR and social media. The Loves Local team have also been visiting all the locations to raise to get businesses involved in the campaign and provide information about the gift card.

Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce and Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) were also recently shortlisted for the inaugural Scotland Loves Local Awards in recognition of their collaborative efforts to encourage people to “choose local” and back businesses and services in their community.

Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive and Project Manager, Damon Scott, was delighted to be awarded the funding:

“The Loves Local campaign has been helping hundreds of Dunbartonshire businesses by encouraging local people to Choose Local to support our local enterprises.

“This new funding will help us continue the promotion of our wonderful town and village centres, spread the word about the fantastic goods and services on offer locally and promote the use of the new Loves Local gift card.

“On the back of feedback from our Loves Local surveys a multi-level marketing campaign will take in social media, PR and local advertising as well as the ongoing creation of more online digital content. We also plan to make improvements to all of the town and village websites, add jobs boards and build the business and events listings.”

“The support and engagement from our local businesses has been amazing and a number of them have been instrumental in providing thousands of pounds of matched funding to support our latest Loves Local application. The Community Advertiser, Dumbarton Football Club, River Radio and East Dunbartonshire Council have all made important contributions via sponsorship or in-kind support.”

Dunbartonshire Chamber instigated and led the Loves Local campaign to promote the ‘Choose Local’ message across a number of locations in East and West Dunbartonshire including: Alexandria & The Vale of Leven, Balloch, Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Clydebank and Dumbarton.

Much of the Chamber’s activity has been supported by grants from an initial Scotland Loves Local Fund last year - the success of which is being built upon with this latest new multi-million pound, multi-year programme from the Scottish Government.

The Chamber has worked with the support of both East and West Dunbartonshire Councils and Business Gateways, as well as in collaboration with Milngavie Business Improvement District.

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Chamber admin are responsible for the day to day running of the chamber, dealing with enquiries, membership as well as organising events and meetings.