Celebrating Our Local Businesses – Summer Spotlight 2025

Over the summer, I had the real pleasure of visiting businesses right across Aberdeen South and North Kincardine as part of my annual Local Business Summer Spotlight. From family-run shops on our high streets to artisan bakeries, busy cafés, and those at the heart of our growing tourism sector, the diversity and strength of our local economy was clear to see.

Each visit was a reminder of the incredible hard work, creativity, and community spirit that keep our towns thriving. Whether it was a bakery sourcing local produce, a café providing a welcoming space for all ages, or a tourism business showcasing the very best of our area to visitors, every business I met with is making a real difference to the life of our constituency.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with me, to share their stories, and to highlight both the opportunities and challenges they are facing. I value the honesty and openness of those conversations, and I will be taking the feedback I received forward in my work at Holyrood.

Common themes came through strongly: the importance of support for small businesses, ensuring our communities remain vibrant, and the need for investment in both local infrastructure and skills to help our economy grow sustainably.

But it was also clear that too many of our local businesses are being held back by decisions made at Westminster. Increases to National Insurance contributions, rising costs of energy and post-Brexit chaos, and the failure to deliver meaningful support for small enterprises are adding real pressure at a time when margins are already tight. These challenges are not of our making here in Scotland, yet it is our communities and our local employers who feel the impact.

That is why I will continue to stand up for our business community, not only by championing local success stories but by challenging decisions that make it harder for them to thrive. Supporting our local businesses isn’t just about economic growth; it’s about protecting what makes this constituency such a special place to live, work, and visit.

As we move into the autumn, my door remains open to all local businesses. If there are issues you’d like to discuss, or if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, we can ensure that the voice of our local business community continues to be heard and acted upon.