Frome Town Council are urging shoppers in Frome to do their bit and take part in the ‘Shop Local Week’ to help our local businesses rebuild after the pandemic.
The initiative — running from Monday, August 10 to Saturday, August 16 — is part of the government’s Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, encouraging people to get back to the ways of life they have missed — while following safety guidelines.
Leader of the Council, Anne Hills, said: “From buying a quirky gift from one of our many amazing independent shops, or popping by the weekly market, by shopping locally, you can help our local business owners and community to get back up and running. And let’s not forget the Eat Out to Help Out campaign, which is running throughout August, Monday to Wednesday where you can get 50% off food and non-alcoholic drinks when you eat or drink in.”
To help kick off Shop Local Week, here are eight reasons why you should visit the high street this week:
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Help the high street and support the local economy
Shopping at local businesses pumps money into the local economy, and by spending money in their local shop, restaurant, café or pub, shoppers can do their bit to aid our national recovery across the country.
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Save jobs – and create even more
Supporting our high streets creates jobs in local communities, supporting often young and disadvantaged people to find employment. Helping to grow the number of jobs in our local areas makes for a better place to live and work, which then creates a healthy economy for the community.
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Great deals
People might be surprised to see just how competitive the prices are in your local shops. Independent retailers often reward regular customers, while others often provide great deals that can’t be found in major outlets – meaning people save money as they spend.
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A safe way to shop
Businesses across the town have been following government guidance and implementing a range of measures to ensure people are safe while they shop, such as customer limits inside the store, partitions at tills and hand sanitizing stations.
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Preserving the heart of the community
A thriving high street is key to boosting the potential of a village or town where people can socialise as well as shop. Local businesses also generate revenue to support council services such as libraries, parks and roads that benefit communities across the UK.
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Spoilt for choice
Small and local businesses often stock items which are made locally and aren’t available elsewhere else, providing a great range of choice and unique products that bring much-needed originality and variety into communities – including rare finds and items that aren’t mass produced.
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A better shopping experience
Small businesses are often run by people who live nearby. As the UK continues to recover from the pandemic, the experience of buying locally from a friendly face offers a dose of normality that many people may have missed.
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Help the environment
Local shops often source their goods locally, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. When shopping local, people are also more likely to walk or cycle to get there – doing their bit to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic and improve the quality of the nation’s high streets.
Published 10th August 2020
