As retailers gear up for the busiest shopping weekend of the year, Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, is encouraging people to do what they can to support local firms.
Alison, a member of Holyrood’s economy committee, is backing the Small Business Saturday campaign which is urging the public to shop local on 7 December.
Alison said: “High streets and small businesses across the Lothians are under sustained pressure from the big chains, so it’s important we do what we can to level the playing field. As people gear up for Christmas I’d urge them to consider how their spending decisions affect local firms and their local communities.
“And for those going online I’d encourage seeking out local alternatives. Longer-term I will continue to campaign for greater support for small and micro businesses in Lothian region, both in terms of revitalising our local high streets and improving access to public procurement.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
