SNP MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston David Linden has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament recognising Londis Solo Convenience’s Main Street Pavement Festival in Baillieston, which celebrated its fourth year in August and achieved its highest-ever fundraising total.
The motion warmly thanked retailer Natalie Lightfoot and her team for organising the festival on 8 August.
It acknowledged that the festival had raised more than £3,000 for charity and congratulated members of the community who came together in what it described as “an incredible display of community spirit”. It also commended everyone involved in organising the event, noting that the efforts of the shop and the wider community represent “the very best values of East End community service, generosity and solidarity”.
The motion was supported by MSPs Clare Adamson, Kate Campbell, Jackie Dunbar, Thomas Kerr, Fulton MacGregor, Alyn Smith and Paul Sweeney.
Natalie said she was “genuinely surprised and incredibly proud” when Linden visited the store to present her with a framed copy of the motion.
However, she stressed that recognition had never been the motivation behind the festival.
“Recognition was never the reason we started the festival, or why we continue to put so much time and effort into it every year,” she said.
“For me, it comes down to relationships. You can’t just open your doors and expect people to walk through them. Building relationships, creating connections and giving back to the community around your business matters.
“And that doesn’t just apply to our customers. I’m a huge believer in the value of building strong, genuine, two-way relationships with our suppliers throughout the year.
“Our suppliers support us, we support them, and together we can create something that works for everyone, including the customer at the end of that chain. Our Main Street Pavement Festival is a perfect example of when effort and reward meet.”
While the parliamentary motion recorded a fundraising total of £3,055, Natalie said the final amount raised reached £3,066.56, split between Beatson Cancer Charity and The Daffodil Club.
“I am incredibly grateful to David for taking the time to recognise the hard work that goes into the festival and still slightly amazed that seven MSPs supported the motion,” she added.
“The motion recognises the whole team who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to make the festival happen.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has created and grateful for every relationship that helps make it possible. For me, this recognition isn’t really about a motion in Parliament. It’s about what can happen when a business chooses to show up, get involved and build relationships with the people around it. And that’s something I’ll always believe in.”
