While we are going through this current pandemic it is important now more than ever to support our local small businesses.

It's our small local businesses that are being hit the hardest during this crisis.

Local businesses are more likely to utilise other local amenities and enterprises such as our smaller rural Post Offices, service providers, and farms.

In many cases Independent retailers and restaurants return more than three times as much money per pound of sales to the community in which they operate than large corporate chain competitors.

In addition to helping build the local economy, there are also notable intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in our local community.

Local businesses are owned and operated by our neighbours. They care about and are invested in the well being of our community and its future.

Local businesses are more accountable to their local area and on average donate more money charitable causes in our local neighbourhoods.

So I would implore my constituents in the Kintyre and Islands ward and residents across Argyll and Bute to buy from and support our local small businesses wherever possible.

Cllr Alastair Redman