Greens are urging the people of Edinburgh to shop local this Christmas.

At a public meeting in the city on Thursday night Edinburgh Green councillors will join with business associations in arguing that shopping locally benefits local communities and the environment far more than visiting out-of-town shopping centres.

The meeting will be held at 8pm on Thursday 6th December at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. Speakers include: Martin Stepek, chief executive of the Scottish Family Business Association and a former director of a major national retail chain; and Dougie Bell, Vice Chairperson of the Tollcross Traders Association.

Greens cite research showing that £1 spent locally has four times greater value to the local economy than money spent in a retail park. Money spent locally circulates through the local economy, benefiting a wide range of local retailers and suppliers. They also point to the massive amount of traffic and congestion created by visits to retail parks.

Meadows and Morningside Green Councillor Alison Johnston, who will be chairing the event said: “Greens strongly back local and social businesses. They are taking the lead in working with local suppliers, reducing use of packaging and supporting Edinburgh communities.

“Local shops and high streets across the country are being undermined by the power of the big retailers and out-of-town shopping centres. Money spent in remote retail parks leaks out of our neighbourhoods into the hands of distant shareholders.

“Better, by far, to extend the Christmas spirit to the local shops and businesses that give our communities character.”