AN ARGYLL and Bute councillor has insisted that proposals for supermarkets to sell locally-sourced produce would not be damaging to smaller businesses.

Alastair Redman, who has extensive retail experience on his home island of Islay, was responding to comments by Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce, who said that the idea was “potentially damaging” to independent retailers.

Conservative MSP Brian Whittle (South Scotland region) had expressed the idea that larger shops could have dedicated shelves or aisles directing customers to local produce.

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His Conservative colleague Councillor Redman, who represents the Kintyre and the Islands wared and who ran a post office and small shop in Portnahaven for 12 years, said: “I know all too well the challenges, but this suggestion by the Conservatives would in no way affect smaller retailers.

“It is not compulsory; it is more advisory than anything else. The Conservative party is immensely pro-business, pro-employee and pro-employer.

“We want to see economic prosperity throughout Argyll and Bute and no action would harm smaller businesses.

“So much is produced in rural Argyll.”

A spokesman for the Chamber said: “It should first be pointed out that local producers are already well represented in local shops which are not supermarkets and in that these independent retailers are providing a service which most supermarket outlets cannot.

“It is our belief that this was a topic investigated fully during the discussions prior to the opening of Waitrose.

“While local suppliers were invited to, and indeed took part in ‘Meet the Buyer’ events they were unsuccessful because the policy with Waitrose and most other supermarket chains is that they must be able to supply all their stores.

“Most small local producers are not able to meet that criteria.

“We have no indication whether the MSP who mooted this idea has actually established if any supermarket chains would be willing to take on local suppliers in individual shops.

“But we suspect that it would be a non-starter and, actually, potentially damaging to our independent retailers who already provide outlets for local producers should it go ahead.”

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Mr Whittle, who is wellbeing and sport spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “Most major supermarkets have sections showcasing food from around the world, so there’s no reason why this can’t be replicated specifically for local produce.

“It would signpost people to where they can get food and drink made in their local area, which will be popular among those passionate about supporting small, local businesses.

“The relationship between major supermarkets and local firms hasn’t always been great, but this presents an opportunity to improve that.

“And if shoppers aren’t keen on this and want to continue as normal, they can just walk straight past.”