INVERCLYDE'S MP has praised the ‘diversity and ingenuity’ of the area’s small businesses as he calls on communities to ‘treasure and nurture’ the organisations on their doorstep.
Ronnie Cowan stopped by at a number of local outlets as part of events marking Scotland Loves Local week.
The national campaign, run by Scotland Town Partnership, held the inaugural event between August 28 and Septmeber 3 in a bid to ‘put localism at the heart of a stronger, fairer future for Scotland’s towns’.
Mr Cowan, joined by Bowman Rebecchi director Andrew Bowman and Councillor Sandra Reynolds, heard about some of the challenges currently facing local businesses.
He paid a visit to the newly-opened Base Coffee at Cardwell Bay, the Co-op on Cardwell Road, and the former Albert Hotel, where a new budget rental premises is due to open in the coming weeks.
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The MP went on to speak with staff at a new tattoo studio on John Street, before visiting InverEco, the Inverclyde Shed Gardens, and Stellar and Stars clothing store and Mixo Gourock on Kempock Street.
Mr Cowan said the Scotland Loves Local campaign is ‘excellent for iur high streets, for accessibility and sustainability’.
He added: "As well as providing jobs and services, these businesses represent great confidence and commitment to Inverclyde, and that is something I will always support.
"The diversity and ingenuity of many of our local retailers is encouraging.
"I saw established businesses and new start businesses which will add to the vibrancy of our communities.
"With Covid, sky-high inflation, hikes on petrol prices and the energy bill crisis, many of these businesses have faced incredible challenges, and I have learned a lot about these challenges over the last few months and from speaking to those involved today.
"Each of us, the UK government, the Scottish government, local councillors and all organisations should do all in our power to support these businesses.
"They are the bedrock of our economy and community."
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