MM shares stories of high street heroes at the Scotland Loves Local Awards
Message Matters (MM) has been helping to celebrate amazing stories of determination and dedication to make a difference at the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
We work alongside our client Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) to organise the awards, as part of our wider involvement in Scotland Loves Local, the campaign encouraging people to think, choose and spend locally to create a stronger future for their communities.
The awards were announced at the Scotland’s Towns Conference, held at CentreStage in Kilmarnock.
And they have led to news stories the length and breadth of the country on the award-winners and the work they do.
Among the recipients was Marion Gilliland, who was named as the nation’s High Street Hero.
She has run her family gift shop – Presents and Correct – in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, for more than 30 years, becoming a powerful force for good in her community.
Not only has she made her store a safe place for all, but she has helped secure tens of thousands of pounds of improvements for other businesses, goes above and beyond to meet customers’ needs, champions charitable causes and supports seriously ill friends – all while dealing with her own health challenges. She is also a leading light in Cumnock Business Association.
Marion said: “Every part of this business is in my blood.
“Cumnock means so much to me because of the people. Here in the shop we try to make sure that everyone’s looked after.”
Other recipients included the team behind the multi-million pound transformation of a derelict former swimming pool into Montrose Playhouse in Angus as well as Clackmannanshire Council and Kingdom Housing Association for their work to create new homes in Alloa town centre.
You can read more about our winners and finalists here.
STP Chair, Professor Leigh Sparks, said: “The dedication of people to deliver for their community never fails to amaze us.
“And, whether through responding to the climate emergency, improving our streetscape, creating new homes or urging people to choose local, our finalists and award winners stand testament to the innovation and determination which will create better town centres as part of a stronger, more sustainable Scotland. Their communities should be very proud of them.”
Our work on the awards included creating content for the media and social media, including commissioning videography, photography and website management.
It is the third year that we have worked with STP on the Scotland Loves Local Awards. They were first held to honour high street heroes who supported their communities through the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, but which have expanded to recognise the wider work to improve communities and make them fit for the future.
