Rural shops create jobs and investment and play vital role in local communities, says report
CONVENIENCE stores in Caithness, Sutherland and easter Ross provide jobs for 978 people and invest £63 million across Scotland, according to the Rural Shop Report 2023.
Local MP, Jamie Stone recognises the vital role shops play in rural areas and says they provide the "backbone of our communities". He has added his support to the Rural Shops Pledge.
By doing so, the Liberal Democrat MP, agrees to:
*Call for more support for rural areas as part of the levelling up agenda.
*Support investment in digital infrastructure to enable reliable broadband and mobile coverage.
*Maintain a viable network of free-to-use ATMs.
Mr Stone, the Caithness, Sutherland and easter Ross MP, said: "I have been a long-term supporter of the actions in the Rural Shops Pledge, but it's certainly rewarding to put my name behind a cohesive action plan.
"Shops in remote Highland villages are facing severe competition from large supermarkets which offer home delivery services, but it's vital that we do what we can to preserve and protect rural shops which form the backbone of our communities. These are the shops that are often within walking distance, which provide postal services, and are maintaining access to cash, all things which we should never take for granted."
He added: "Convenience stores have a positive impact on communities, and I know for a fact that that's true, with more than 77 per cent of rural shops engaging in some form of community activity over the last year."
The report by the Association of Convenience Store shows there are over 17,000 rural shops in the UK, providing 142, 000 jobs as well as essential goods and services. They also act as a social and community hub for tens of thousands of people across the country.|
The Rural Shop Report highlights the importance of these businesses and the need for policy makers to include them in discusssions on the levelling up agenda.