Keeping It Local may have moved from its Main Street premises but the community interest company (CIC) is back up and running again nearby.
Founder and business development manager Jason McCallum has worked tirelessly to reopen the shop in its new location at 3 Reform Square – between Longrow and Longrow South – as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
The new shopfront has still to be completed but the business is now fully operational, offering a range of goods and services for the community, businesses and tourism sector.
Among the services on offer at Keeping It Local CIC are: printing of posters, drawings, booklets, business cards, flyers, marketing leaflets, etc, from size A6 to A0; digital signage; event marketing; general information and tourist information; desk/computer hire; and speciality grade take-away coffee.
Keeping It Local CIC is no longer able to service bicycles due to a lack of funding to employ a trained bicycle technician, but the shop still runs a bike hire scheme, sells cycling accessories and can do minor cycle repairs.
Jason says one of Keeping It Local CIC’s main aims is to fill gaps in the market and provide services that are otherwise unavailable in the area, meaning the business is always evolving and open to adaptation.
This was one of the reasons Keeping It Local CIC began focusing on community-led tourism and catering for Kintyre’s visitors by offering maps, guides and advice on accommodation and events after VisitScotland closed its Campbeltown iCentre in 2018.
As of 2021, Keeping It Local CIC has also been responsible for Explore Campbeltown’s destination marketing on behalf of and with support from Springbank Distillery. And it will remain the location from which the seasonal Campbeltown Heritage Trail walks will begin.
In a bid to share and promote local news and events with both visitors and locals, Jason launched a digital network of screens that are displayed the length and breadth of Kintyre.
The screens show event information, photos and videos of local travel destinations, up-to-date ferry and bus timetables and statuses, and live weather updates, as well as the latest Campbeltown Courier headlines, all for no cost to any of the events and companies involved.
There are also paid business adverts which generate an income that supports Keeping It Local CIC’s work.
Currently there are screens at The Gather and One Fyne Deli in Tarbert, Clachan Filling Station, Point Sands Holiday Park in Tayinloan, Ardminish Stores on Gigha, Glenbarr Stores, Carradale Bay Holiday Park, Peninver Sands Holiday Park, Machrihanish Holiday Park, with five in Campbeltown, in Tesco, Newgrove Furniture, Springbank Distillery, Numero Dix Hair Salon and in Keeping It Local itself.
There are plans for more to be installed in other businesses in the near future, and anyone interested in having one is welcome to contact Jason for more information.
Jason added: “Screens are suitable for all businesses, but especially B&Bs, Airbnbs, hotels, all kinds of accommodation providers, as, with the switch of a button, their visitors can change the channel and get all the local information they could ask for – they don’t have to go hunting for ideas on what to do.
"Thanks to everyone for their support and patience as I moved in to the new shop. I am still in a good location, close to the town centre, and I look forward to continuing to adapt Keeping It Local’s offerings to suit the needs of the community and visitors.”
Anyone who would like to get in touch with Jason can do so by emailing keepingitlocal.campbeltown@gmail.com or calling 07939 149706.
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