Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, has offered his support for this weekend’s Small Business Saturday – which encourages people to shop locally and support their local businesses.
Mr Stevenson visited Duncan Leel owner of Dicks Sports in Fraserburgh and was accompanied by local Federation of Small Businesses representative and small business owner Archie Miller of Macrae Stephen & Co as part of Small Business Saturday. Mr Stevenson took the opportunity to point out SNP Government action to support small businesses across Scotland, including the small business bonus and the £500m growth fund.
Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said,
“Small Business Saturday is an excellent initiative and one which helps to support local businesses throughout the North-east.
“The SNP in government has always made efforts to support small businesses across the North-east, from introducing and extending the small business bonus to launching a growth fund worth £500m to deal with the new challenges created by Brexit.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Scotland’s economy, supporting jobs and growth in our communities, as well as providing an invaluable service to people across the North-east. With almost 14,000 small enterprises across Aberdeenshire Council Area, there’s plenty of opportunity for people to get out and shop locally.
"I had some excellent discussions with small business owners Duncan and Archie. They've got great ideas about what else we can do to keep Scotland's small enterprises and the Scottish economy thriving – from the digital economy to partnering with local schools to provide young people with work experience. It's great to have these kind of innovative businesses in my constituency – they are vast assets to our local communities.
“I encourage all constituents to support their local independent businesses all year round, but particularly on Small Business Saturday. With the week coming just weeks before Christmas in the busiest retail time of the year, people should use the opportunity to look at what is on offer in the local shops in the North-east.
“Last year’s event saw £623 million spent across local businesses in the UK, and by getting more people out in their local shops this weekend we can achieve even more – helping to support jobs throughout the North-east.”
“The SNP in government has always made efforts to support small businesses across the North-east, from introducing and extending the small business bonus to launching a growth fund worth £500m to deal with the new challenges created by Brexit.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Scotland’s economy, supporting jobs and growth in our communities, as well as providing an invaluable service to people across the North-east. With almost 14,000 small enterprises across Aberdeenshire Council Area, there’s plenty of opportunity for people to get out and shop locally.
"I had some excellent discussions with small business owners Duncan and Archie. They've got great ideas about what else we can do to keep Scotland's small enterprises and the Scottish economy thriving – from the digital economy to partnering with local schools to provide young people with work experience. It's great to have these kind of innovative businesses in my constituency – they are vast assets to our local communities.
“I encourage all constituents to support their local independent businesses all year round, but particularly on Small Business Saturday. With the week coming just weeks before Christmas in the busiest retail time of the year, people should use the opportunity to look at what is on offer in the local shops in the North-east.
“Last year’s event saw £623 million spent across local businesses in the UK, and by getting more people out in their local shops this weekend we can achieve even more – helping to support jobs throughout the North-east.”
