Rosewell and Roslin projects benefit from £1 million fund

Schemes in Rosewell and Roslin are among those benefiting from the Scotland Loves Local Fund, which has made in excess of 200 grants nationally to help communities recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Funded by the Scottish Government, they aim to support small-scale improvements to enhance places while helping motivate people to shop, eat and relax in their community while also promoting places and ensuring public safety.

Rosewell Development Trust has secured £4,500 to support a community garden sensory area with disabled access. Roslin Village Group, meanwhile, has been awarded a £5,000 grant to create a short walk to join up local areas with outdoor games.

Scotland’s Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “I am pleased to see our £1 million Scotland Loves Local Fund has reached hundreds of community projects across Scotland.

“This is a unique chance for our local communities to improve towns and promote them as better places to live – an opportunity to use the funding to unlock some brilliant creativity. This fund will empower communities by supporting local delivery of projects, to help our towns to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over the festive season and beyond, I want to encourage our communities to ‘love local’ and remind everyone that money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy and support local jobs. We all have a part to play in Scotland’s economic recovery and can do so, whilst we look out for one another and follow the FACTS guidance.”

The fund is being administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership as part of its work to spearhead the Scotland Loves Local campaign, which is leading the charge for people to think local first for all of their needs to help businesses through the pandemic.

Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “We’re delighted that this funding can support schemes in Rosewell and Roslin. Each of these schemes them provides another reason for people to embrace local life.

“We hope these grants will be a great Christmas present to all those benefiting as we encourage everyone to safely support their local businesses however they can during the critical festive shopping period.”

People are being encouraged to follow all safety advice when out shopping and to show kindness to shop workers.

For more information about getting involved with the Scotland Loves Local campaign, go to www.lovelocal.scot.