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Shop Local Winners Give a Festive Boost to Fort William

BID Fort William is pleased to announce the latest winners of the Shop Local voucher competition, with five residents each receiving £20 to spend in local Fort William businesses just in time for the festive season.

The winners were:

  • Mary Somerville
  • Maryrose Hall
  • Julie Bolton
  • Mary-Emma Turner
  • Mairi Illsley

The vouchers are designed to encourage local spending during a key trading period, helping direct money back into levy-paying businesses across the town.

Supporting Local Businesses Through Local Spend

Several of the winners shared how important shopping locally is to them. Maryrose Hall said she was delighted to win and was already planning how to spend her voucher, adding that she prefers supporting small local shops over larger chain stores.

Mairi Illsley, a long-standing Dancing Steward at the Glenfinnan Games, also welcomed the win and said she was looking forward to spending her voucher in Fort William’s local shops.

These small incentives help reinforce positive shopping habits and encourage residents to explore the range of independent businesses available in the town centre.

Why This Matters for Levy Payers

The Shop Local voucher scheme is one of the ways BID Fort William works to:

  • Keep money circulating within the local economy
  • Support footfall and spend during key retail periods
  • Raise awareness of the town’s independent businesses

By encouraging residents to shop locally, the scheme helps strengthen the trading environment for levy payers without placing additional financial burden on individual businesses.

A Community-Led Initiative

BID Fort William board member Archie MacDonald welcomed the winners:

“Shopping locally not only supports jobs and livelihoods, it also keeps our high street vibrant and welcoming,” he added.

“It’s wonderful to see so many people engaging with this initiative and showing pride in our community.”

The continued engagement with the Shop Local scheme shows strong community backing for Fort William’s businesses and reinforces the value of collective action through the BID.

Looking Ahead

BID Fort William will continue to use practical initiatives like Shop Local to support the town centre, particularly during busy seasonal periods, ensuring levy contributions are reinvested in activity that delivers visible, local impact.

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