COWDENBEATH is gearing itself up to embrace Totally Locally as part of the Love Cowdenbeath initiative.

Totally Locally gives a platform to help all shops and businesses to work together to promote each other and all that is good about Cowdenbeath.

Independent businesses and shops are the bedrock of our communities, and when they thrive they create real jobs, cohesive towns and strong economies.

Totally locally helps groups such as Love Cowdenbeath to collaborate, run high-end campaigns and events, and in turn help people to rediscover and fall in love with the High Street

Totally Locally started out as a small idea in the North of England and has grown into a multi-award-winning worldwide movement. It will allow Love Cowdenbeath to use a free kit to make Cowdenbeath High Street a stronger, more vibrant and resilient place.

The scheme uses an easily identifiable logo and a series of strong messages to encourage shopkeepers to collaborate and shoppers to buy local.

One of the core messages of the scheme is what the value of spending money locally, if every adult in Cowdenbeath spent £5 in the local independent shops weekly which they would otherwise have spent online or in a big supermarket, the total would be worth an extra £2.5 million to the local economy.

Another initiative includes Fiver Fest which helps celebrate the town's fantastic small businesses and shops, many run by families or individuals but all contributing massively to the local economy and the wellbeing of 'our towns'. Those taking part put on special £5 offers over 1 week, to show the diversity and value of what they sell, and to say thank-you to the communities that support them.

Initial consultation with local businesses has been very positive with over 20 businesses keen to sign up as soon as possible. Further consultation will take place over the coming months with the hope of launching the scheme before Christmas

A representative from Love Cowdenbeath said: "Everyone is aware of the challenges that High Streets across the country are facing, and schemes like this go a long way in helping solidify the message we each have a part to play in shopping locally and revitalising the town centre".