MSP Visits Banff Business to Highlight Small Business Saturday

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson paid a visit to a recently-established small business in Banff to highlight Small Business Saturday, which takes place tomorrow (2 December).

The SNP MSP visited Granny Bakes in Strait Path, Banff to help promote local businesses and ‘shop local’.

Mr Stevenson also referenced the business in a Parliamentary debate earlier in the week about small businesses.

Stewart Stevenson said:

“It was a pleasure to meet with Angela Wiseman and hear about one of Banff’s newest businesses, ‘Granny Bakes’. It is great to see new businesses opening up in this regeneration town and I wish Angela every success going forward.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Scottish economy, accounting for 99% of all businesses across the country, supporting jobs and growth in our communities as well as providing an invaluable service to consumers.

“An impressive £717m was spent in small businesses during last year’s Small Business Saturday, that’s 15% more than in 2015, and I believe we can do even better this year.

“Independent shops and small businesses have to compete in a market that is increasingly dominated by the big players, and buying from a locally owned business means the money is much more likely to stay in the community.

“Since 2009, the SNP Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme has provided a total of £1.5bn rates relief and last year, a £500m growth fund was set up to cope with the new challenges posed by a Tory hard Brexit.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of the delights on our door step and visit our local businesses this Saturday and beyond to ensure our local businesses thrive.”

Stevenson Helps Launch Peterhead's Compass Point Service

Local SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson assisted at the formal launch of Compass Point last week. The service is a new community hub with a focus on employability, financial inclusion, benefits and money support.

Local Third Sector Partners, Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian have worked together to provide an easily accessible venue in the heart of Peterhead in Back Street. The service is managed by a partnership made up of The Foyer, North-east Scotland Credit Union, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Council. It provides free access to the internet and telephones, and offers advice and signposting as well as opportunities to learn new skills to support members of the local community into employment or training.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“Compass Point is a valuable resource and has already been providing much-appreciated support to local people in the fields of employability support, assistance with financial matters and a whole range of other services.

“I heard from service users at the launch on Friday of how useful the service had been to them. It is a very useful local facility which has been supported through Aberdeenshire Council’s regeneration scheme and also assisted by the European Social Fund.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Angus McCurrach, the service co-ordinator, and also June, one of the founder volunteers, whom I helped perform the official opening.”

Stevenson Seeks Assurances from RBS on Banff Closure

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has sought assurances from the Royal Bank of Scotland on the continued availability of a cash machine in Banff following today’s announcement that the bank’s branch in the town is to close next year.

The closure means that the Royal Bank of Scotland will have closed every branch in Banffshire once Banff Branch closes its doors in May 2018.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“This is very disappointing news, particularly as the Royal Bank branch in Banff is an iconic building in a prime location in a regeneration town. However, the entire banking industry is being affected by huge changes in how people do their banking, with more and more people opting to do this online instead of visiting their local branch.

“There will always be a need for some personal and business customers to conduct some banking face-to-face and the Royal Bank will be introducing a mobile service to Banff, similar to that which operates elsewhere. I will be writing to the Bank asking that they make the details of this arrangement public as soon as possible in order that people can make an informed choice about whether to stick with the new service, or to support one of the remaining banks in the town.

“I will also be seeking an assurance on the availability of the cash machine. When the Clydesdale Bank closed in Banff a few months ago, the ATM was removed. RBS should work with other local businesses and find a location for their ATM which is convenient for customers and can potentially benefit another business.”