MUSSELBURGH’S business chief has described a major community initiative to promote Musselburgh as a “lifeline”.

Malcolm Currie, chairman of Musselburgh Business Partnership, called the funding of more than £25,000 to aid businesses, attractions and events in Musselburgh as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic “wonderful”.

The initiative has been launched by four local businesswomen – Sharon Brown, of Blueberry Gifts; Mhairri Duxburry, of Mint Fig; Terri Buzzeo, of Maison Macaron Home; and Jeanette Hamill, of Hamill Decorating Services – alongside Melanie Roccio of the environment group Love Musselburgh, who will be working together for “the good of the town”.

READ MORE: £25,000 funding for new Love Musselburgh initiative to boost town

The enterprise got off the ground after £14,300 was received from Musselburgh Area Partnership, £6,875 from East Lothian Council’s Covid-19 economic recovery support fund for towns and villages, and £5,000 from Scotland Loves Local – a national initiative designed to encourage people to support local high street businesses safely and in line with public health guidance.

Mr Currie said: “After what has been a dreadful year for the vast majority of businesses, it’s wonderful that we can start to revitalise Musselburgh by working with other community-based groups in supporting this project.

“The funding from Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Musselburgh Area Partnership provides a lifeline, something that will hopefully help businesses, be they companies, freelancers or sole traders, grow beyond the pandemic – something that can benefit the whole community.”

Plans include: building a Musselburgh brand and logo; producing a Musselburgh website to promote businesses, attractions and events in the town; and organising a Shop, Eat, Live Local leaflet to go to all EH21 postcodes once lockdown starts to ease in the spring.

The group is also looking into providing a loyalty card and voucher scheme to use in participating shops, cafes and businesses.