Enter the Best Small Shops competition

  

I am encouraging locally-run shops and independent retailers in East Lothian’s towns and villages to enter Indie Retail’s Best Small Shops competition.

Haddington High Street

The competition is free to enter and, according to Indie Retail, an organisation that promotes independent retail, “celebrates not only the commitment and creativity of entrepreneurial independent retailers on the UK’s High Streets but also, the central role independent retailers play in their local communities.”

Shopkeepers and business owners can nominate their businesses until Friday, September 11 via www.bestsmallshops.co.uk in a number of categories including a new category recognising small shop’s COVID-19 response, as well as four other categories.

East Lothian’s independent retail sector is a thriving part of our culture and our economy.  It’s a major contributor to the quality of life of our residents, our offer to tourists, and our economic diversity in East Lothian.

As I have been visiting different areas of the county I’ve seen some fantastic wee shops run by dedicated and passionate local retailers.  As I said when supporting the East Lothian Courier’s ‘Love Local Business’ campaign many our local independent businesses absolutely stepped up to the mark to look after their communities as a result of the lockdown.

I am really pleased to see the new category for Covid-19 response at that will recognise these efforts.  I would encourage all local retail businesses to give it a shot.  In the end there can only be a few overall winners, but I know the independent retailers in East Lothian are well up there with others across the UK in this sector.

All submissions to Indie Retail’s competition will get a free listing on the Indie Retail find a shop directory.  Submissions close on 11 September and a winner will be announced in November.

Photo © Anne Burgess (cc-by-sa/2.0)