A NEW gift card will soon be rolled out across Fife to encourage shoppers to spend locally.

The Fife Loves Local gift card is one of 32 across Scotland designed to support the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scotland Loves Local campaign is a national initiative aimed at encouraging shoppers to think local first and support their high streets safely.

The platform for local consumers to purchase the regional gift cards is launching later this year but businesses are being urged to enrol now.

Sew Yarn Crafty, a haberdashery shop in Dunfermline's High Street, is one of the first business in Fife to join the scheme, which is free for businesses to sign up to.

Aileen Wright, co-owner, said: "I feel that the public had their eyes opened as to how important it is to support their local economy during the pandemic.

"I'm right behind anything that harnesses that enthusiasm and encourages folk to get into their town, high street and independent businesses to see all that we have to offer."

Local councillors are encouraging businesses to join the initiative.

Cllr Helen Law, convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said: "We are pleased to support this initiative as part of the post-pandemic recovery process and boost the confidence for businesses in Dunfermline and West Fife.

"I would call on more businesses to register to accept this gift card, which is designed to encourage the people of Fife to support their local businesses in these tough times."

The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card launched for business registrations in July.

For any local business looking to register, they can do so via: www.lovelocal.scot/register-your-business/

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and Perth-based firm Miconex are working with Fife Council to launch the regional gift card, with the first year of costs being met by the Scottish Government as part of its £10 million of support for Scotland Loves Local.

There are no registration costs for businesses and payments are processed as part of the Mastercard network.