By Ross Thomson
Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has marked Independent Traders Day 2025 by visiting one of West Lothian鈥檚 best-loved local businesses 鈥 Dewar鈥檚 Family Butchers in West Calder. The annual Independent Traders Day celebrates the huge contribution of local, independent businesses to our economy and communities. Dewar鈥檚, a family-run butchers in Union Square, has quickly become a West Calder institution and there are plans to expand with the opening of another shop in East Calder over the summer. Gregor鈥檚 visit aimed to shine a light on the vital role businesses like Dewar鈥檚 play in creating local jobs, supporting community life, and keeping money in the local economy. Speaking during the visit, he said: 鈥淚ndependent businesses are the beating heart of our towns and villages 鈥 and there鈥檚 no better example than Dewar鈥檚 here in West Calder. They鈥檝e supported local jobs and served the community with pride for years. 鈥淚ndependent Traders Day is about recognising the value of brilliant local businesses like this 鈥 and making sure they get the support they need to thrive. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 the Shop Front Improvement Grant from West Lothian Council, or Labour鈥檚 plans to boost business and grow the economy, I鈥檒l keep standing up for small business 鈥 and I hope local people will do the same by shopping local this weekend.鈥 West Lothian Council is supporting Independent Traders Day with a range of initiatives, including grants of up to 拢750 to help improve shop fronts. The council also provides wider economic development support to local businesses. Gregor鈥檚 visit comes as part of a wider campaign to back small businesses across the Livingston constituency and ensure the high street remains at the heart of community life. Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .