Making new Buddies: Gift shop owner says more in Paisley are choosing local

• Businesswoman believes increase in town centre living has been good for trade
• Town’s role in launch of Scotland Loves Local marked five years on

A Paisley gift shop owner says a spike in town centre living is playing a key part in boosting business.

Laura Bell, of IVAD Gifts, believes the message to choose local is striking strongly with people who enjoy having shops and services on their doorstep.

The businesswoman highlighted the positive change five years on from helping to launch a high-profile coronavirus business recovery campaign.

Laura was among a number of Paisley First Business Improvement District (BID) members who were the early faces of Scotland Loves Local.

As the nation went into lockdown in 2020, she had just completed a major refurbishment of her Gauze Street store, which she did not get to relaunch as planned.

She was among those throughout the region who were quick to adapt what they do to operate within the rules, including adding local deliveries to the services offered, something she has continued to do in the years since.

And, if there is a positive to have come from the pandemic, she believes it was the reawakening it gave people about the wealth of local businesses and the need to get behind them.

Laura, who’s been in business for 21 years, said: “People have realised that there are good shops locally, not just in Paisley, but wherever they happen to stay. There are good shops, good coffee shops and they can get things without travelling to big regional centres.”

She believes one of the big differences which has made an impact in Paisley since the pandemic has been an increase in the number of people living in the town centre, bringing direct benefits to nearby businesses.

“We’ve made a lot of new relationships with people who now live in the area which has been really good. It really does help,” added Laura.

“If you live across the road and need a birthday card or want a nice cake, you’re not going to jump in your car. If you can walk across the road and get something, that’s what people are doing now. That’s doing really well for is

“Choosing local makes a real difference. It supports local businesses, families and makes the town centre a more vibrant and fun place to be. Without that support, we wouldn’t be here.”

Paisley First members led the charge for the nation to choose local and support businesses in their area as the nation emerged from lockdown as Scotland Loves Local was launched.

They appeared in a major media campaign – including TV advertising – and shared their stories about the importance of thinking local first to save jobs and protect the future of community businesses, many of which had been there for people like never before as they were ordered to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus.

And the BID has been one of the staunchest supporters of Scotland Loves Local as it has grown from a Covid-19 recovery campaign to one which flies the flag for choosing local as the platform from which to build better, stronger, more sustainable communities for the long term.

It has included the successful roll-out of the Scotland Loves Local Renfrewshire Gift Card as a means by which to lock money into the region’s economy.

Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), with support from the Scottish Government.

Professor Leigh Sparks, Chair of STP, said: “Businesses in Paisley have contributed greatly to the success of Scotland Loves Local. It’s fantastic to hear that the message to choose local is making a real difference. We want this to go from strength to strength.

“Five years ago, we did not anticipate that Scotland Loves Local would be such a success and broaden beyond its original conception.

“Its purpose though remains the same – building a movement to support local businesses and local communities by tying together local spending. It is the essence of community wealth building, which may soon become a statutory requirement in Scotland.”

Scotland Loves Local Week 2025 takes place from Saturday August 23. Go to www.lovelocal.scot to find out more about getting involved.

Pictures: Laura Bell in IVAD Gifts on Gauze Street in Paisley town centre

“Spend local” banners from Paisley First on display in the town centre

Members of Paisley First Business Improvement District launching Scotland Loves Local in July 2020