The past nine months have been unprecedented due to the effects of COVID-19. Smaller, local businesses have been badly hit as have restrictions on travel and opening hours.

Now, more than ever, local businesses need support from the public to help them get through a difficult time.

Shopping locally this Christmas, either in person or online, will help sustain local businesses and there is a huge variety of businesses that can offer something a bit different when it comes to gift ideas. Visit Falkirk lists lots of these along with places to eat out, details of what’s on and what attractions are open over the festive period, all with the aim to help the local economy.

Falkirk Delivers have just launched a new District Towns gift card that allows you to keep your spending local at more than 100 locations across Falkirk, Denny, Grangemouth, Stenhousemuir and Bo’ness .

Pete Reid Acting Head of Economic Development explained: “There is a huge range of shops locally that can provide unique and different gift ideas that you simply can’t get online or in the larger retailers. By using smaller, independent retailers you are helping to sustain their businesses during a very difficult time meaning jobs are preserved and money stays in the local economy.”

#ScotlandLovesLocal