Green MSP Patrick Harvie went behind the tills at Battlefield Road’s Co-op store in December, in an effort to encourage people to shop locally.

Mr Harvie, also Communities spokesperson for the Green party, was helping to promote the Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s (SGF’s) ‘Shop Local’ campaign, urging people to stock at their local shops.

Mr Harvey said, ‘Local shops are a key part of the fabric of our communities, never more so than at Christmas. That is why I am pleased to be supporting the SGF’s ‘Shop Local Campaign’ and urging everyone to support their local shops all year round. Local shops are the social glue holding communities together. If they disappear, and we end up with residential areas serviced only by multinationals, we will lose a vital feature of Scottish towns and cities. Glasgow is becoming increasingly dominated by the ‘big four’ supermarkets, which is having a negative impact on the viability of smaller retailers. By backing local businesses, people can be sure that profits are put back into the local economy.’

Green MSPs are backing community campaigns against unnecessary supermarkets across Scotland and promoting the ‘shop locally’ message. They claim that the distance many foods have to travel is fuelling climate change through pollution generated by transport.

SGF Chief Executive John Drummond said, ‘I am delighted to have the support of a locally-based MSP for this campaign. Local stores are under increased pressure from supermarkets and the internet. Good local shops rely on good support from the community they serve.’