SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
MORAY SHOP LOCAL
I
(Juliette Buchan) set up the Moray Shop Local Facebook page on 23rd March 2020, on the first day of lockdown as a means of helping Moray businesses by sharing information about local offering and promote local shopping during a time of unprecedented economic challenge. This started as a private group with the view of gathering a few hundred people. However it reached 1,000 followers in less than a week; shortly after which it changed to a public forum which now has over 6,400 followers and keep on growing At the time, the group turned a collective feeling of helplessness into a positive collaboration of knowledge. My vision was to create and steward a portal that would be self-populating and content producing, for the benefit to the local retail sector and the wider Moray community. Although the Covid pandemic was the trigger that resulted in the creation of the Moray Shop Local group, it was created with a long term view to promote our local economy At the same time, I have continued to carry out my own role as European Sales Manager for GlenAllachie distillery. All efforts invested in Moray Shop Local have been undertaken in my own free time, for no financial reward. Some features of the group have included a Moray Shop Local Interview series.
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This has brought an independent perspective on the featured trader and opens the door for local shoppers to know more about the individuals involved, the background to the respective business; further amplifying the local and community sentiments of the group. While I will continue to act as administrator, the aim is for the group to be self-populating and to be a resource and reference points for people wanting to support local businesses. I’ve loved the opportunity to meet many local traders and build a much deeper understanding of the Moray Business community. Moray has a lot to offer, many great businesses, many skills and talents that most of us did not know existed and they truly deserved a platform to showcase them.
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/945808052488723/about
