Sean Batty swaps studio for salon as he champions drive to choose local

Paisley presenter gets to work in Giffnock to champion Scotland Loves Local

Television presenter Sean Batty swapped the studio for the salon as clients enjoyed a little celebrity treatment.

Paisley’s STV star normally spends his days forecasting the weather for viewers across the country.

But he took time away from his charts and maps to pick up a nail file and brushes at She Is Beauty in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

Sean went behind the scenes at the salon to highlight the critical need for everyone to support community businesses as an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local.

And he heard for himself about the hard work of staff – and gratitude of clients – as he learned how to tint eyelashes and manicure nails.

“I had great fun. It’s a fantastic wee salon – a shining example of a local business which pulls out all of the stops every day for the people in its community,” said Sean.

“Seeing how hard the team works and hearing about the difference they make to their clients was a real reminder about why we need to get behind local businesses of all kinds.

“It showed me how choosing local isn’t just good for the local economy, it’s good for your wellbeing too.”

Sean worked under the watchful eye of She Is Beauty owner Jo Mulhern, who took over the salon seven years ago after working there for four years before that.

Among those who he helped look after was Louise McCaskill, who called in to have her nails done and shared her special reasons for continuing to go there fortnightly.

She said: “I had cancer a couple of years ago. I lost all of my hair, but I didn’t lose my nails.

“Every time I went for my chemo treatment all of the nurses said my nails looked fabulous. I didn’t lose them because Jo looked after them so well.

“Living in Giffnock you have everything on your doorstep. You have all of the shops, entertainment, pubs and restaurants on your doorstep. You don’t need to go anywhere else for anything. It’s a very friendly place to stay. Everyone knows everyone.”

Sean’s afternoon in the salon was filmed as part of a series being produced for Scotland Loves Local, highlighting the difference that choosing local makes to the future of communities.

Jo, who’s also chair of Giffnock Village Business Improvement District and sells products from other small businesses, said: “One of the things I love about being a small local business is that you get to know people – and they trust you.

“I love Giffnock. It’s such a nice community. But all local businesses need the support of local people. Without it, we wouldn’t be here.

“It was great to be able to share our story with Sean. He can come back to do a shift any time.”

Scotland Loves Local, which is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, is the drive for people to think local first – protecting jobs and building stronger communities by prioritising supporting the people around them.

The transformational difference of doing so will be highlighted as part of Scotland Loves Local Week, which takes place from August 26th until September 1st.

People are being encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to choosing local by signing the Scotland Loves Local Pledge. Find out more at www.lovelocal.scot/pledge.