#ScotlandLovesLocal Week
This week we are marking #ScotlandLovesLocal week to champion the independent businesses and groups that make our town such a vibrant and friendly place to live.
The campaign aims to encourage people to “think local first”, making the most of what we have in our town. An approach beneficial to the local economy, the environment and our own mental wellbeing.
Having lived both in cities and rurally across the UK I have found that Langholm has the perfect mix of pretty countryside living with a tight knit community of locals who demonstrate a level of pride and commitment to their town that I have not experienced before. There's no bigger mood boost than being able to potter to work, greeted by everyone you pass with a smile and stopping for a coffee in the friendly local cafe. It beats long motorway commutes and chain restaurant lunchtime ques anyday!
As a Community Interest Company, Creation Mill is uniquely placed to both contribute to our local economy and give back to community causes that are important to us.
As Creation Mill has continued to grow our offering we have started to attract visitors from neighbouring towns and from further afield. A shared love of textiles and making has brought people into the town that would otherwise just not have had a reason to stop off in our hidden gem. These visitors are invaluable to supporting local businesses which in turn provides local jobs allowing people to choose to stay or settle in Langholm further contributing to the community. It's just one big positive feedback loop! We have so much on offer here and when planning our events we are committed to “thinking local first” and endeavour to use local venues, Langholm based caterers and partner with the towns hotels and event spaces. It’s a win-win for all involved!
By taking this approach we are showing our visitors not just what Creation Mill has to offer but Langholm as a whole. This kind of experience based word of mouth advertising is invaluable to a small town economy like ours.
Despite the evident benefits of living in a small rural town, it can be tempting to feel like we are missing out on something and while there are some difficulties that come with living remotely we really do have everything we need right on our doorstep. By making small commitments to consider supporting a local business or organisations first we can all help to foster growth and prosperity for an area we are all invested in. Next time you are thinking of starting up the car and taking the time to venture into one of our nearby cities to visit one of the popular but often pricey chain craft supply stores, why not consider taking a walk down to rummage in the ScrapStore. After all, there aren't many shops where you can sink into the sofa and have a cuppa and a chat whilst shopping!
