Scotland Loves Local Board Paper Final Update 2025 - AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 4 November 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 4 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 10 OFFICIAL ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 04 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Scotland Loves Local Update 4 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an updated overview of the Scotland Loves Local scheme and its associated gift card in Renfrewshire. It outlines current levels of take-up and spend to date and summarises recent marketing activities undertaken to promote the scheme. The report also sets out future potential partnerships that could significantly enhance its uptake. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Notes the content of this report; (ii) Authorises the Head of Economy and Development to continue the scheme until May 2028. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Scotland Loves Local campaign is a national initiative aimed at encouraging people across Scotland to think local and spend local. It has the potential to boost local economies by fostering a thriving circular economy, where residents support local businesses and help keep money circulating within their communities for longer. 3.2 Like any gift card, users can choose the amount to load onto the card, which can then be spent at participating businesses within the relevant local authority area.
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Page 2 of 10 OFFICIAL _________________________________________________________ 4. Scotland Loves Local Objectives 4.1 Scotland Loves Local was launched in 2021 to support the economic recovery of town centres following the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme is championed by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (the body with responsibility for overseeing Scotland’s Business Improvement Districts), with Miconex responsible for administering the scheme. 4.2 Initially, some councils used funding from the Scottish Government’s Local Authority COVID-19 Economic Recovery (LACER) scheme to top up Scotland Loves Local gift cards. Residents were then able to use the cards for everyday purchases, such as essential food and household items. The primary aim was to help alleviate cost-of-living pressures. As such, a decision was made to include larger retailers—such as supermarkets—as eligible participants in the scheme. Consequently, the majority of recorded spend across Scotland has occurred at larger multi- and cross-national businesses. _________________________________________________________ 5. Renfrewshire Context 5.1 The Renfrewshire Gift Card has been operating for several years. Council officers have been working with Miconex to grow the scheme in a way that benefits the local economy. 5.2 A framework of objectives was agreed at the Economy and Regeneration Policy Board meeting on 7 November 2023 to ensure that Scotland Loves Local is effectively aligned with the Council’s strategic policy goals—to create a thriving network of town and village centres, underpinned by inclusive and sustainable economic growth. 5.3 The following objectives were agreed: • Increase the amount spent on the card by at least 150% over the next two years. • Sign up an additional 30 SMEs to the scheme over the next two years. • Increase the proportion of money spent in SMEs by between 5% and 10% over the next two years to achieve a more equitable distribution of card revenue. 5.4 In the Board update of November 2023, it was noted that a total of £44,610 of gift card sales were achieved through the Scotland Loves Local scheme in Renfrewshire. As of 1 October 2025, this figure has increased to £82,295, reflecting a growth of 84% in spend. 5.5 Year on year gift card sales in Renfrewshire to date are as follows:
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Page 3 of 10 OFFICIAL 5.6 Currently, 138 individual businesses are signed up to the scheme in Renfrewshire - a full list is available in Appendix A. Most registrations are either within the Paisley First Business Improvement District or are large multi- national retailers. This figure has remained relatively static for over two years, accounting for both business closures and new entries. 5.7 As of 1 October 2023 there were 79 SMEs signed up to scheme. There are currently 82 SMEs participating in the scheme as 1 October 2025, accounting for approximately 16% of total spend in 2024 and 32% so far in 2025, representing a 16% proportional increase over the last year. 5.8 Paisley First has been supportive of the initiative, promoting it through its channels. Additionally, the Renfrewshire Gift Card website features a dedicated page highlighting retailers in Paisley and its diverse offering: https://townandcitygiftcards.com/paisley/ 5.9 While not all objectives have been met to date, the following sections of this report highlight significant marketing activity underway, as well as promising potential partnerships. 5.10 We will continue to work with the Council’s partner Miconex to improve data monitoring, enabling a better understanding of long-term trends and the overall impact of the Gift Card in Renfrewshire. _________________________________________________________ 6. Associated Marketing and Communications Plan 6.1 Marketing activity for the gift card scheme is focussed on increasing product awareness among potential consumers. It is promoted year-round on the council’s core and destination websites, with links to the Town and City Giftcards website where consumers can then purchase the cards, together with general ‘spend local’ messaging highlighting the importance to local economies of local spend. 6.2 The giftcard is also promoted year-round with advertising in the local MILL Magazine lifestyle publication (print and digital) through a new marketing arrangement created this year. Digital and social media advertising is concentrated in August, to amplify Scotland’s Towns Partnership national ‘Scotland Loves Local month’. Point-of-sale materials paid for by the council are distributed to participating retailers. PR activity is led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, with the council team working alongside their media partners to ensure Renfrewshire businesses are featured wherever possible – for example, a photocall with Summits Outdoors, a local independent retailer, was organised to promote Renfrewshire’s new digital giftcard. 2022 £38,275 2023 £9,545 2024 £21,475 2025 £13,000 Total £82,295
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Page 4 of 10 OFFICIAL 6.3 The giftcard is also promoted in conjunction with the council’s major events programme – for example, a marketing promotion with Go Radio gave listeners the chance to win pre-loaded giftcards and spend local this Halloween, with on-air read-outs for the competition providing significant opportunities for local people to see and hear about the giftcard scheme. _________________________________________________________ 7. Future developments and partnerships 7.1 Since August 2025, the Renfrewshire Gift Card can now be sent and used digitally. This new option enables recipients to spend the gift card using the “tap to pay” function via their phone’s digital wallet. The added capability is expected to increase the card’s appeal among younger users who prefer the convenience of digital payments. Corporate customers will also find this a more attractive option, as it simplifies the distribution process—allowing gift cards to be sent directly to staff via email. 7.2 Officers are currently in discussions with the owners of Braehead Shopping Centre regarding the potential installation of a kiosk within the centre. This would allow visitors to easily purchase and load a Renfrewshire Gift Card. If agreed, officers hope that the kiosk—supported by Braehead’s high footfall (approx. 16 million annually)—will significantly boost uptake of the gift card. This could benefit retailers across Renfrewshire, as consumers can spend the card in towns and villages throughout the area resulting in significantly higher annual local spend. This approach has been successfully adopted by other local authorities, such as Glasgow and Aberdeen, who have used shopping centres as catalysts to increase overall usage and spending across their wider regions. 7.3 Officers are also in discussions with X-Site who are interested in exploring participation with the gift card. X-Site are aiming to open the largest e-karting track globally in 2026. 7.4 Officers are also in discussions with OneRen about enabling the Gift Card to be used for accessing their services as well as general promotion of the scheme in central venues, for example Paisley Library and Renfrew/Johnstone Town Halls. This could potentially include booking events or gym classes, further enhancing the appeal of the card. However, further discussions and formal approval from OneRen will be required – particularly around compatibility with their existing systems, including events ticketing and membership platforms. 7.5 These partnerships have the potential to significantly impact the success of the Gift Card scheme by encouraging increased spending and attracting more businesses to sign up. _________________________________________________________ 8. Licensing 8.1 As previously reported to the Board on 23 May 2023, a licensing fee of £9,000 is paid annually to run the scheme. The annual order form was signed 24 May 2023 and was automatically extended in 2024 for another 2 years until 24 May 2026.
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Page 5 of 10 OFFICIAL 8.2 As per the terms of the license agreement, the Council have until 6 months from this date (i.e. 24 November 2025) to advise the administrator that they wish to terminate the agreement, otherwise the subscription terms will be automatically extended by a further period of 2 years. Officers are now seeking permission to use existing Council budgets to fund this scheme for a minimum of two further years from May 2026. The cost will remain at £9,000 annually and if the Council commit to another two years, the digital program will be offered free of charge - a saving of £1,800 per year, or £3,600 total over the two years. _________________________________________________________ 9. Progress and Reporting 9.1 If agreed to continue the scheme, progress will be reported to the appropriate Policy Board on a rolling basis. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – No additional finance is sought. All funding is accounted for within existing Council budgets. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – Jobs and the Economy - the scheme has the potential to secure additional income for Renfrewshire based businesses, which in turn could support more investment and jobs within the local economy. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None. 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk - None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. Climate Risk – Not applicable. 12. Children’s Rights – Not applicable. 13. COSLA Policy Position – Not applicable
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Page 6 of 10 OFFICIAL _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers • Scotland Loves Local Update 3; Economy and Regeneration Policy Board; 5 Nov 2024 • Scotland Loves Local Update, Economy and Regeneration Policy Board; 23 May 2023 Author: Euan Shearer, Regeneration and Place Manager Email: euan.shearer@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Page 7 of 10 OFFICIAL Appendix A – Renfrewshire Retailers signed up to gift card scheme Total - 138 Renfrewshire Retailors - 12/10/2023 Merchant Name Merchant Address Adom Afro Paisley 46 High Street, Paisley, PA1 2AH Aldi 009 - Paisley 4 Fulbar Rd, Paisley PA2 9AP, UK Aldi 012 - Erskine 1A, Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Erskine PA8 7AA, UK Aldi 055 - Renfrew 41 High St, Renfrew PA4 8QP, UK Aldi 085 - Johnstone Patons Mill Rp, High St, Johnstone PA5 8FB, UK Andersons Jewellery Workshop 38 High St, Renfrew PA4 8QP Aspire Academy 17 Kelvin Avenue Hillington Industrial Estate G52 4LT Bailey’s Antiques 34 High Street Paisley Barrhead Travel service - Braehead Shopping Centre Unit 1, Intu Braehead Shopping Centre, King's Inch Road G51 4BN Baru Paisley 7B Moss Street Paisley Bianco e Nero 27 Gauze Street Paisley Brick Lane Studios/The Diane Mitchell Music School/Brick lane Studios Brick Lane Studios 7-9 Weir Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 4DW Cafe Fairfull 12A High Street Paisley Caleb Outlet 14B New St, Paisley PA1 1XY, UK CANCER RESEARCH UK GBR - Johnstone Units 1&2, 40-41 Houston Court, Johnstone, PA5 8DL CANCER RESEARCH UK GBR - Paisley 43 Causeyside Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA1 1YL Cardbox 5 Hairst Street Renfrew, Renfrewshire PA4 8QU Cards Party Balloons Unit 2, 27 Causeyside St, Paisley PA1 1UL Castelvecchi 10 New Street Paisley, PA1 1XY Caulders Garden Centres Erskine Caulders Erskine, Erskine Bridge, Bishopton, Erskine PA7 5PU Coop 4247 Paisley Road - Renfrew 93 Paisley Road, Renfrew, PA4 8LH Coop 5825 Kilbarchan 20 High Barholm, Kilbarchan, Johnstone, PA10 2EQ Coop 7472 Houston 63 Crosslee Crescent, Houston, Johnstone, PA6 7DT Coop 8769 Bishopton New 26-30 Greenock Road, Bishopton, PA7 5JN Coop 9093 Paisley - Neilston Road 60-62 Neilston Road, Paisley, PA2 6NE Coop 9094 Bridge of Weir Main Street, Bridge Of Weir, PA11 3NR Domino's Pizza - Bridgewater Shopping Centre Unit 9 Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Erskine, PA8 7AA Domino's Pizza - Gauze Street Paisley Domino's Pizza 41 Gauze Street, Paisley, PA1 1 1EX Domino's Pizza - Johnstone 11 Laighcartside Street, Johnstone, PA5 8BY Domino's Pizza - Renfrew 9 High Street, Renfrew PA4 8QL
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Page 8 of 10 OFFICIAL Duffy Hairdressing 40 Causeyside St, Paisley, PA1 1YH Ecigarette Outlet 35 Causeyside Street Paisley, PA1 1YL Elixir Lounge Upper Floor, 12 New Street, Paisley, PA1 1XY Ellen Adams Hair 24 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3QH Farmfoods Hillington 249 unit 1 Earl Haig road, Hillington retail park, G52 4LY Farmfoods Paisley 255 29 Causeyside Street, Paisley, PA1 1UL Farmfoods Renfrew 250 5/6 High Street, Renfrew, PA4 8QL Finishing Touches 7 Johnston Street, Paisley, PA1 1XQ Food At Underwood Unit 1A 35 Underwood Road, Paisley, PA3 1TQ Framing Art 60 High St, Johnstone PA5 8SG Francis Hair Salon 3 Johnston Street Paisley, PA1 1XQ Gael Home Interiors 4 Orchard Street Paisley, PA1 1UZ Gantry 12 New St, Paisley, PA1 1XY Gillan Green Grocers The Paisley Centre, 23 High Street, Paisley, PA1 2AQ Grand Fusion First floor, 8 Moss St, Paisley, PA1 1BL H. Samuel - Braehead 38, Braehead Shopping Centre, G51 4BP Handcrafted Coffee 5 High Street Lochwinnoch PA12 4DB Harvies Tobacconist 20 Moss St, Paisley PA1 1BL, UK Hiltons Hair & Beauty 8A St Mirren St, Paisley PA1 1UA, UK HMV/Sunrise Records and Entertainment Limited trading as HMV Unit 167, Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road, Glasgow, G51 4BN Houston Kiltmakers 67 High Street Paisley, PA1 2AY Iceland 782-Paisley 86/74 Glasgow Road, Paisley, Strathclyde PA1 3PN ICELAND JOHNSTONE 1 Houston Square, 56/61 High St Johnstone, Paisley PA5 8QG Iceland Paisley Piazza 1330 Unit 55, Piazza Shopping Centre, Paisley, PA1 1EH Indian By Nature Paisley/Obsession of India 32 Moss Street Paisley, PA1 1BA IVAD Gifts 29 Gauze Street Paisley, PA1 1ES John McKay Jewellers 53 Moss St, Paisley PA1 1DR John Marshall & Son 11 High St, Johnstone PA5 8HD Kiddie Boutique /Baby boutique by Claire Unit 106 Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road G51 4BS Kettle Black 3 County Pl, Paisley PA1 1BN Kilts 4 u 2 Erskine Square Hillington G52 4BJ Kooks Hairdressing 22 New Street Paisley Kwik E Mart 61 High St, Paisley PA1 2AS Lidl GB JOHNSTONE 1270 10 High Street, Johnstone PA5 8JX Lidl GB PAISLEY NORTH 1725 Renfrew Road Retail Park, Wallneuk Road, Paisley PA3 4BF Luna Rossa 1-3 Canal St, Renfrew PA4 8QE Marks and Spencer - Odstock Road - Paisley Odstock Road, Paisley PA3 2ST Marks and Spencer Foodhall - Renfrew Retail Park - Paisley Unit 1, Renfrew Retail Park, Wallneuk Rd, Paisley PA3 4BF
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Page 9 of 10 OFFICIAL Marks and Spencer Simply Food - Braehead Shopping Centre King's Inch Road Braehead Shopping Centre, G51 4BP, UK Marks and Spencer Simply Food - Glasgow Airport Glasgow Airport Priority Security, Glasgow Airport, Paisley PA3 2SW McLaughlan and Co Jewellers 22 New Street Paisley, PA1 1YB Menkind King's Inch Road Unit 104, G51 4BS Moongemz Baby & Gifts 30b High Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA1 2BZ Morrisons Bed Centre 24 Lawn Street Paisley, PA1 1HF Musclebound 14A New Street Paisley, PA1 1XY New Look 1657 Paisley 14 The Piazza Shopping Centre, Paisley , PA1 1EL New Look 2019 Braehead 1B Braehead Shopping Centre, G51 4BP Noah Home and Gifts Ltd Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road, G51 4BN Nomads Coffee Shop 63 High Street Paisley, PA1 2AS O'Neills Services Unit 43B The Piazza Centre, Paisley, PA1 1EL One O One 32 Kilbarchan Road 32 Kilbarchan Rd, Johnstone PA5 8RF Orchard Clinic Orchard Clinic, 16 Orchard Street, Paisley, PA1 1UZ Paisley Gift Cart 30b High St, Paisley PA1 2BZ Paisley Photoshop 10 Silk Street Paisley, PA1 1HG Paisley Physiotherapy Centre 13 Old Sneddon St, Paisley PA3 2AG Paisley Picture Framers & Gallery 56 Causeyside Street, PA1 1YW Paisley Pie Co. - Causeyside Street 25 Causeyside Street, Paisley PA1 1UL Paisley Pie Co. - Bridge Street 26 Bridge Street, Paisley, PA1 1XN Paisley Trophy Centre 5 George Place Paisley, PA1 2HZ Patrick & Son Hair Design 52-54 Causeyside St., Paisley PA1 1YW Premier – Johnstone 19 High Street, Johnstone, PA5 8JU Prestige Floors 50, 52 Causeyside St., Paisley PA1 1YW Print and Copy It 61 High Street Paisley, PA1 2AS Print Centre (GREENLAW GRAPHICS LTD) 31 Gauze Street Paisley, PA1 1ES PROFIX 67 Causeyside Street PROFIX Paisley, PA1 1YT Pure Spa and Beauty- Renfrew Pure Spa and Beauty David Lloyds Arkleston Road Renfrew PA4 0RA Rainbow Turtle 7 Gauze Street Paisley PA1 1ES Sainsburys - Kings Inch Road 110 Kings Inch Dr, G51 4BT, UK Scott McGinlay Catering 47 Causeyside St., Paisley PA1 1YN SEMI CHEM 003319 - Johnstone Unit 1, 9 William Street, Johnstone, PA5 8DP SEMI CHEM 3479 - Paisley 44-46 Central Way Piazza Paisley PA1 1EN SEMI CHEM 003517 - Renfrew 93 Paisley Road, PA4 8HD Shuttle 7 Shuttle St, Paisley PA1 1YD Sinclair's of Paisley 30A High Street Paisley, PA1 2BZ Smyths Toys Unit 22 Phoenix retail park Linwood Road PA12AB Snappy Shopper - Online Only Spar - Erskine Bargarran Shopping Centre, Erskine PA8 6BS Spar - Lochwinnoch The Cross, Main St, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AH Spar Glenburn 170 BREAHEAD ROAD Paisley Renfrewshire PA2 8QD Specsavers - Braehead 110 Kings Inch Drive, G51 4BT
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Page 10 of 10 OFFICIAL Spoons Coffee House 71 Causeyside Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA1 1YT St Vincent's Hospice 11a Moss Street, Paisley, PA1 1BE Subway - Paisley 20 High street Paisley Renfrewshire PA1 2BS Summits outdoor 36 Moss Street paisley PA1 1BA Sunset Beach - Hairst Street 59 Hairst Street Renfrew PA4 8QU Taste Buds 22A Lawn Street Paisley, PA1 1HF The Bankhouse 7 Gilmour Street Paisley, PA1 1DD The Grumpy Monkey Coffee House 22 Moss Street Paisley, PA1 1BA The Keg 15B Gilmour Street Paisley, PA1 1DD The Keg Shack 46 Hairst St, Renfrew PA4 8QY The Pantry 31 Gauze St, Paisley PA1 1ES The Pet Shop Units 3 & 4, Houstoun Court, Johnstone PA5 8DL The Perfume Shop 66 Kings Inch Road Unit 160 Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road G51 4BS The Ugly Duck 38 High Street Paisley Threadbear – Bears by Sue Quinn 25 Lawn St, Paisley PA1 1HD Tresspass - Braehead Unit 103 Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road G51 4BN Two Towns Door Brewing 47 Back Sneddon St, Paisley PA3 2DD Weaver’s Cottage The Cross, Kilbarchan, Johnstone PA10 2JG What IF Paisley 25 Moss Street Paisley, PA1 1DJ Wholesale Domestic Bathrooms 50 Montrose Avenue, Hillington Park, G52 4LA Wildflower Florists 9 Gauze St, Paisley PA1 1EP With Love Flowers 48 Causeyside St, Paisley PA1 1YH, UK WM Morrisons Ltd - Erskine Bridgewater Bridgewater Shopping Centre, PA8 7AA WM Morrisons Ltd - Johnstone GBR 30 Napier Street, Johnstone PA5 8SF WM Morrisons Ltd - Paisley Anchor Mills GBR Anchor Mill, Paisley PA1 1GZ WM Morrisons Ltd - Paisley Falside Rd GBR Falside Road, Paisley PA2 6JE WM Phelps Butchers 41 Causeyside St., Paisley PA1 1YL Zambretto Italian 42-46 Old Sneddon St, Paisley, PA3 2AP