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Wishart meets local business owners working together to thrive during pandemic 

News Release from Pete Wishart MP

Attn:   News Desk                                                     For immediate release 13 December 2021

Wishart meets local business owners working together to thrive during pandemic 

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, met with Hollie Irvine, the young founder of Perth-based digital marketing company, Highbeat Digital.  

The visit from Mr Wishart came just weeks after Ms Irvine was awarded Outstanding Young Businessperson at this year’s prestigious Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Star Awards. 

They met with one of Hollie’s clients, couple Sophie & Neil McEwan, at their interiors, cookware and range cooker store in Perth City Centre, Quince & Cook. 

They discussed the difficulties of running a small business during the pandemic, as well as the need for local and eco-friendly stores to be at the forefront of the regeneration of Perth’s high street. 

Commenting, Mr Wishart said: 

“It was fantastic to meet with Hollie, Sophie and Neil to congratulate Hollie on her recent award and hear about how their businesses have collaborated to overcome the obstacles caused by COVID-19.

“Sophie & Neil first launched Quince & Cook during the pandemic, which was an extremely uncertain time for all businessowners, but especially for owners of a newly opened independent store like theirs.  

“Highbeat Digital helped Quince & Cook establish a strong online presence, which proved essential when Covid led to many more sales being made online.  

“This is an excellent display of small local businesses working together for mutual benefit.  

“Stores like Quince & Cook are the future of Perth’s high street, with COVID-19 shifting people’s shopping habits towards local and environmentally cautious businesses, and I urge everyone to continue that trend this festive season. “ 

Also commenting, Ms Irvine said: 

“It was great to catch up with Pete at my clients’ store, Quince & Cook, to discuss the importance of local businesses and the challenges we’ve faced during the pandemic. 

“I have worked with Sophie and Neil since the conception of my business and have seen first-hand how much love and hard work they put into their store on Princes Street, so it was a full circle moment us all having a chat with Pete there.  

“Pete also congratulated me on my Business Star Award. I think as a young woman in business it can be hard to get recognition for the time and effort you've put in, so I’m over the moon that he recognised my efforts and contributions to Perth.” 

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