What value it places on the continued existence of small shops in Scotland’s most remote communities, particularly in terms of their role i…

The Executive recognises thatshops can play an important role in helping to sustain thriving communities in Scotland’s remoterural areas. Successful shops that are adapted to changing patterns in people’slifestyle, work and travel are a mark of a flourishing area. Through the Executive’sClosing the Opportunity Gap strategy, we are funding needed improvements to theUig Community Shop on Lewis, run as a community co-operative. As with other projectsto tackle rural exclusion, this was identified as a priority by the local communityand the Community Planning Partnership. In addition, the Enterprise Networks providesupport and advice to small and medium sized businesses, including shops, to helpensure their viability.
In many of Scotland’s mostremote communities, local post offices support essential small shops. The Executivehas recently published research (available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/07/12103744/0)that examined three case studies and found that the associated general retail elementwas most important in the very remote community studied. Since 2003, the UK Governmenthas provided £150 million annual funding across the UK to sustainthe rural post office network and prevent all avoidable closures. The Executiveregularly discusses the future of the network with the UK Government and advocatesthat the importance of rural shops, as well as the other social and economic benefitsthat can be provided by many post offices, are recognised in decisions about futurearrangement.