A COLOURFUL poster campaign is urging Stirling residents to support shops in the area.

As businesses in town re-open, many are displaying rainbow-clad “We're Open” signs with the business improvement district organisation Go Forth Stirling encouraging people to show their support.

Calluna Ethical Living on Murray Place re-opened recently and owner Grant Reid said business has been brisk ever since.

He added: “Since we re-opened it’s been phenomenal and I hope it’s going to continue – because the Thistles was still closed when we first opened, people were coming along to Murray Place and discovering us and the other shops around here.

“We had customers coming in for the first time who didn’t realise we were here which has been a real boost plus many of our regulars have been back.

“It’s been lovely to have people back in and see lots of friendly faces.”

Mr Reid has been taking advantage of the posters to welcome customers back to the shop, where he sells a variety of homeware.

Andrew Pemberton, owner of popular sewing machine centre Pembertons in Friars Street, has been busy throughout the pandemic selling machines, haberdashery and accessories online.

He recently re-opened the shop and said: “We’ve been working all the way through doing web orders – it’s been very busy and there’s been a huge demand for sewing machines and supplies due to people making their own masks and personal protective equipment.

“We’ve seen a huge demand for elastic, for example, which people have been buying from the website and since we re-opened it’s been busier than I expected in terms of people coming in.”

Pembertons, along with many other businesses, have received sneeze guards and floor stickers from Go Forth Stirling.

Mr Pemberton added: “The screen guard and floor stickers provided by Go Forth Stirling have been very useful and we’ve also put the poster up – the support has been very good and they are quick at getting things done.”

Danielle McRorie-Smith, project director at Go Forth Stirling, has been looking to help businesses in the area in recovering from the Covid-19 crisis.

She said: “We thought a bright, colourful poster for the window of every business which wants one would be a great way of letting people know which shops are open.

“We hope people will be encouraged to shop locally and support Stirling’s wonderful range of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants as they re-open and really help them thrive.”