NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 13 October 2009 SCOTTISH COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE AWARDS The Scottish Countryside Alliance is running a national Awards competition to find the local businesses and individuals who go that extra mile to serve their communities and MSP Murdo Fraser wants rural retailers throughout Perthshire to enter the competition and prove the quality of local retailers and their local produce to the rest of the UK. The Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards include the following categories: · Best Local Food Award · Best Village Shop/Post Office Award · Rural Enterprise Award · Best Traditional Business Award · Rural Hero – any one heroic, no matter their age, line of work or what their heroic deeds. Applications to nominate are available at: www.scottishcountrysideallianceawards.co.uk Commenting, Murdo said: “It is excellent that the Scottish Countryside Alliance want to celebrate the quality of local and independent rural retailers. I believe that rural retailers are ambassadors for using local produce as well as serving and representing their communities. Some rural retailers are central to their small community and I want this to be recognised with our local rural retailers entering this national competition. “I am positive that there are a number of rural and independent retailers throughout Perthshire and Angus who would show their class in this competition. Furthermore, this competition is a great way to showcase the best that our local area has to offer. “That is why I am calling on local rural retailers to get involved in this national competition to find the UK’s best rural retailer. Also, if any customers know of a local retailer or someone who is an ambassador for local produce then they should consider nominating them. “The competition has now been launched and nominations close on 19th October 2009, after which short-listing and judging will take place. Details of how to enter can be found at their website www.scottishcountrysideallianceawards.co.uk and I hope to see local shops and individuals in Perthshire and Angus be among the winners.” ENDS   back to top of page