A DUNDEE business owner is taking part in a campaign that encourages people to think local this Mother’s Day.
Kelly-Anne Fairweather, owner of The Selkie in Dundee, and Vice President of the Dundee and Angus Chamber is partaking in the ‘mums love local’ campaign which also encourages people to support local businesses at the same time.
The mum-of-eight said: “I have a cleaning company and during the first lockdown, I couldn’t work and neither could my husband.
“As well as pandemic, it was a difficult time for us as a family. I had lost my aunt Nicola, and needed a new challenge and to be around people.
“I went into a local shop called Simpsons to buy a dishwasher for a cake business I had called The Scarlet Bakery.
“The owner was closing down, she gave me a price for buying Simpsons that was crazy low but it was still every penny we had but I thought ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’
“Then the worst did happen and we were locked down again. As a brand new business, I didn’t think anyone would buy take away from us, but amazingly they did.
“The Selkie serves breakfast, lunch and tapas. Our butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers are all local, and as well as keeping money local it also means we can reduce waste.
“During the pandemic, we had people coming to The Selkie’s door asking if we had anything left over.
“We decided that we would put out a takeaway menu that people could order from on a Tuesday night free of charge.
“It didn’t matter if you were a young mum who wanted a night off cooking, an addict who needed a meal or someone on furlough that was struggling with finances. Our place wasn’t to judge.
“The first night we expected to do 50 meals, but ended up giving out 500 meals and it’s something we’ve kept going to this day.
“Anyone can ring up and ask for an ‘Aunty Nicky meal’. Last week, we handed out around 30 meals, and we’ve given out around 3500 meals since we started.
“With the cost of living crisis, people are struggling more than ever. People just need to feel loved, and food is a great way to make people feel loved.
“I’ve got eight kids ranging from 26 to nine. It’s busy, chaotic but home is where we all gather.
“I don’t think any mum doesn’t feel guilt, and we’re often not that great at asking for help but the older I get the more I realise that you don’t have to be perfect and it is fine to ask for help.
“I always prioritise tea-time with my kids and I’m very lucky that my husband is amazing.
“Not every mum has their children at home and we can tend to focus on Mother’s Day itself but when we realise it’s a whole season to celebrate, it removes some of the stress.
“If you can’t be with your mum on Mother’s Day, go and take her for a coffee the next day.”
The Selkie is one of over 200 businesses who are part of the Dundee Gift Card. Kelly-Anne says that the gift card keeps money in Dundee and keeps the city vibrant.
“Dundee has become a massive tourist destination thanks to our beautiful beaches, countryside, lovely people and amazing culture.
“The city centres are suffering, but by giving the Dundee Gift Card you can go into one of the little gift shops and then you can come into me for a coffee. It’s also great for tourists.
“My kids are really good at getting me to take time for me. If I had a Dundee Gift Card I’d go to Exchange Street for some food at The Flame Tree, go for a cut and blow dry.
“Then, maybe to The McManus, Verdant Works and The V&A, perhaps walking along the river to my favourite swimming spot at Broughty Ferry or to Mills Observatory.
“It’s so much fun to play tourist in Dundee, it really is a magical, safe city. We’re based on Exchange Street which is just independents.
“On a Saturday afternoon, it’s a magical little place. When people spend local, owners use that money to spend locally with other businesses, keeping it in Dundee. We are living breathing people, and we genuinely need your support.
“Not only that, but local businesses are what makes your city vibrant. We’re what sets your city apart from everywhere else, so we can provide decent jobs and look after folk.”
The Dundee Gift Card is an initiative driven by Dundee Council and Dundee and Angus Chamber to keep spend local as part of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiative, introduced by Scotland’s Towns Partnership in 2021.
Alison Henderson, CEO, Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce said: “No matter what your mum enjoys doing, the Dundee Gift Card offers choice this Mother’s Day, with almost 40 food and drink businesses, over 110 shops, over 20 leisure venues and attractions, over 20 health and beauty providers, plus accommodation and services too.
“It is a Mother’s Day gift that supports our Dundee businesses, from Broughty Ferry to the West End and every local high street in between.”
Dundee’s gift card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card initiative from Miconex active across the UK. Local gift cards giants Town & City Gift Cards are leading the national ‘mums love local’ campaign alongside Dundee Council, and Dundee and Angus Chamber.
Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex: “Our ‘mums love local’ campaign is a timely reminder that when we shop local this Mother’s Day, we are also supporting mums running businesses in our area, who in turn are employing local people and providing much needed services and experiences for locals.”
