Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 16 September 2021 15:04
A promotional video which celebrates Stirling’s independent shops and retailers has been launched by the city’s BID.
The film showcases the city’s flourishing independent scene and features more than 20 businesses.
Go Forth Stirling BID commissioned the two-minute video, created by Focas Media, as part of the Independent Stirling campaign which highlights independent businesses and their owners.
The film is voiced by Stirling Makar Laura Fyfe who reads her specially commissioned poem which has lines relating to each of the businesses featured.
Laura was appointed as Makar – a ceremonial position which dates back to the 15th century - in March this year to promote poetry, reading and writing across the Stirling area.
She said: “As Stirling Makar, it’s my honour and privilege to celebrate the people of Stirling through poetry so I jumped at the chance to write about the vital importance of independent businesses in our community.
“Every street in Stirling works as a kind of ecosystem in itself - all nurture the growth of one another, as well as the city as a whole.
“When I spoke to the owners and managers of each establishment, it quickly became apparent just how special each shop is. In supporting them, we support families and we support dreams of the future.
“It was my duty and pleasure to represent this fact, and so in the poem, I included a distinct line or idea for each business in the video to reflect their individuality and value.
“I hope others enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed being a part of the process of creating it.”
The Independent Stirling video features a range of the city’s businesses including Stirling Optical, Monny’s Gelateria, Ginger Roots, Clever Clogs, Chester’s Coffee House, Made in Stirling and Tinkerbells Emporium.
It can be found on You Tube - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6W2iOD_u7A – and also
features on the Independent Stirling website which has been set up specifically to promote the city’s unique stores – www.independentstirling.co.uk
Meanwhile, independent businesses can easily be identified around the city by the ‘I’m In’ window stickers they display.
And more stories about the businesses and the owners behind them can be found on the Independent Stirling website.
Go Forth Stirling Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “I’m so pleased with how the video has turned out and the insight it gives into some of our unique small businesses.
“We are lucky to have a huge number of independent retailers in Stirling – shops, hairdressers, restaurants, hotels and attractions – and we wanted to make a promotional film which celebrates both them and Stirling as a fantastic place to visit.
“Laura’s poem really brings the film to life and the business owners who took part illustrate what a fantastic asset they are to the city and how unique and individual they and their businesses are.
“The spirit of our local entrepreneurs really comes across and shows exactly what sets Stirling apart from other cities.
“And it’s easy to find and support our independents by looking out for the ‘I’m In’ stickers next time you’re in the city centre.”
The film is the latest in a range of initiatives launched by the BID to support business owners, to highlight the city as a destination to visit and celebrate Stirling’s culture.
Recent projects have included delivering online training programmes; digital grants and shopfront improvement grants; installing attractive flower displays throughout the city centre; PR and poster campaigns and the popular Street Stories initiative which has seen eight empty shop windows transformed into animated works of art.
Stirling’s BID was set up in September 2017 following a vote and currently represents more than 600 local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve the area’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
The company will go to ballot next Spring in the hope of securing a further five-year term.
A successful renewal ballot will allow Go Forth Stirling to continue delivering initiatives for Stirling’s business community and funding projects.
For more information visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Secret Stirling Tours – a new bespoke tour of Stirling Castle – launches today (Monday 15 September) giving visitors exclusive access to areas of the site that are normally closed to the public.
READ MOREA Stirling local is set to spend the night in one of the city’s most unusual, and eerie, locations to raise vital funds for children across the world.
READ MOREEdinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORECineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORELocal businesses and social enterprises across the Forth Valley are being invited to explore supply chain opportunities in a free-to-attend event at Alloa Town Hall.
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MOREMarston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MOREÒran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MOREFair Trade Stirling is holding a sponsored bike ride to raise money for its long-term partners in the Karonga District of Malawi.
READ MOREIconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MOREThe Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORELove Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MOREIt might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MOREBusiness Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MOREStirling’s outstanding independent and national retailers are set to be recognised and rewarded at the city’s 2026 Business Awards.
READ MOREBusinesses, visitors and residents are urged to feedback on Stirling’s draft Visitor Levy scheme as drop-in sessions begin.
READ MOREVikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MOREThe winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MOREThe Stirling Photography Festival is proud to announce the launch of a series of exhibitions in rural Stirling as part of their 2025 programme.
READ MOREBraveheart continues to be a huge draw for visitors to Scotland as Stirling prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oscar-winning epic.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MOREBusinesses across Stirling and beyond are being invited to take the ‘Forth Valley Five’ pledge: a bold new initiative designed to celebrate local food and drink and boost community wealth.
READ MOREPeople across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.
READ MOREA multiple Clan skirmish of epic proportions is on the cards again for mountain bike Enduro riders when Clans @ The Croft, the first team event on the UK's Enduro calendar, returns to Creiff.
READ MOREThe Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.
READ MOREResidents, community groups and other key stakeholders will have the opportunity to shape Stirling’s future as the consultation on the area’s new Local Development Plan enters crucial new phase.
READ MOREScottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.
READ MOREScotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.
READ MOREThe shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
READ MOREInnis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards.
READ MORE