Hamilton Our Town urges residents to shop local this Christmas as business rep says there's 'plenty to be optimistic about'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

It doesn't seem too long ago Lanarkshire was facing very subdued festive seasons – however things are back to normal for this year's winter events.

Hamilton businesses have pulled together over the past couple of years and a firm focus has been on shopping and spending local.

It's since brought a buzz back to the town centre after the success of the seasonal food and drink markets which were introduced last year, proving very popular for locals and visitors alike.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android And it's with the delight of the local business improvement district, Hamilton Our Town, that they'll be able to continue running these events for a further five years thanks to a recent successful ballot.The vote, which takes place every five years, saw Hamilton firms enter a submission on whether or not they want the Business Improvement District (BID) to represent them.This year, a record 79 per cent of businesses voted in favour of Hamilton Our Town, while it was the highest ever turnout recorded in the ballot process.Now, as the group enters its five-year business plan, locals can now look forward to a host of exciting events and activities taking place in the town centre.This weeks sees the return of the Hamilton Our Town column, where manager Malcolm Thomas-Harley sends out a clear message to the