INDEPENDENT businesses in Dunfermline are going 'Totally Locally' in search of a £10 million boost for the town's economy.

A group of traders have come together to help residents "appreciate and celebrate what we have here on our doorstep" – and encourage them to spend their money.

Totally Locally is an award-winning shop local campaign that has now launched here.

And their message is that "if everyone in Dunfermline spent just £5 a week in local independent shops, it would bring an extra £10.4 million into the town's economy every year".

Heather Snowie, of the Fancy a Scoop? ice cream venture in Maygate, is a volunteer organiser for Totally Locally Dunfermline and said: “Totally Locally has had a big impact on the towns that have run the campaign.

"We are confident that it can do the same for Dunfermline.

"We have a wealth of wonderful shops here and Totally Locally will highlight these hidden gems."

She added: “Totally Locally celebrates all local businesses, from florists to accountants, from speciality shop to restaurants.

"These small independents support many other local businesses and keep the local economy alive. It’s what the fabric of a town like this is made of.

"The stronger the local economy, the better it is for the whole town.”

Totally Locally was created in West Yorkshire in 2010 by brand expert Chris Sands for his home region of Calderdale.

He explained: "Totally Locally isn’t anti-supermarket or anti-online. There is a place for all these things in our lives.

"It’s just highlighting how a small change in spending habits can make a huge change to Dunfermline.

"We have a choice to make the place we live that little bit better by just diverting £5 of our weekly spend back into our local economy.

"And everyone wants their town to be great, don’t they?”

The idea has been taken up successfully in places like Burntisland, Helensburgh, Linlithgow and Lanark, with many going on to win awards as ‘independent’ thriving towns, and the campaign has reached across the UK, as well as further afield to France, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

Aileen Wright, of Sew Yarn Crafty & Studio on High Street, is also a volunteer organiser and said: "This is a fantastic chance for locals to rediscover Dunfermline's great shops and businesses and the real difference they make to our town.

“I love Dunfermline and all that the town has to offer. I also see the huge potential it has.

"I know first-hand the importance of diverse independent businesses in a town.

"Dunfermline is growing at an exponential rate, with a lot of new residents moving to the town in the past 18 months especially.

"We want to introduce, and reintroduce, all residents to these wonderful businesses.

"It’s all about us appreciating and celebrating what we have here on our doorstep!"

A week-long "Totally Locally Fiver Fest" – a mini shopping festival for the town where many shops will have a special £5 offer on – is planned for February 2022.