'Shop Local' this Christmas is the message to residents
in North Somerset.
"There are common misconceptions that local shopping is more
expensive and offers less choice," commented Cllr Elfan Ap Rees,
deputy leader of North Somerset Council (the top performing unitary
council in the country) and executive member whose portfolio
includes economic development.
"Shopping locally supports vital businesses, creates local
employment, delivers high standards of customer care and can offer
a range of competitively priced, traditional and often
locally-crafted and produced goods."
The 'Shop Local, Shop in North Somerset' campaign aims to raise
people's awareness of the need to support their local traders, to
preserve the character and economic viability of town and village
centres and key rural businesses.
A recent survey by the Weston Town Centre Partnership revealed
that 49% of shoppers visited Broadmead in Bristol, 38% Cribbs
Causeway and 27% Clarks Village (all outside North Somerset) for
their non-food shopping outside Weston.
"This is a trend everyone would be keen to reverse, especially
leading up to Christmas which would not only benefit local
businesses but also help shoppers avoid the anguish of
shopping-centre parking and traffic congestion," added Cllr Ap
Rees.
'Shop Local in North Somerset' and help support your local high
street and smaller businesses in these difficult economic times and
help them look 'beyond the crunch'.
Local independent businesses – shops, restaurants, farm shops,
markets, traditional pubs – are being severely affected by this
recession. The best way to help them is to spend local money with
them said Cllr Ap Rees.
Local shops and businesses are the bedrock of our communities
and are essential for a strong and vibrant local economy and the
message must be use them before you lose them.
There are often little things that you can do - before you jump
into your car to purchase that essential item that you have run out
of why not try your local shop first or in the longer term perhaps
encourage your village shop to introduce or increase their range of
local produce.
"Ongoing support for an employment-led approach in
Weston-super-Mare to provide more employment opportunities to
encourage a reduction in out-commuting form an important part of
our Core Strategy which looks at development in North Somerset up
to 2026.
"We want North Somerset to have a vibrant and flourishing
business-base offering employment to local people and we will
continue to offer with our partners help and support to business
start-ups and also established firms," added Cllr Ap Rees.
North Somerset has a host of unique and varied local businesses
where you can be sure to find quality but affordable gifts,
everyday items, services and local produce. Why not try and support
your local businesses particularly in the run up to Christmas – you
will be amazed by what you will find.
This campaign is part of a wider push to encourage investment in
North Somerset and giving advice and support to well-established
and fledgling businesses.
Branded as 'In North Somerset' a range of activities is planned
including the launch of a new website early in the New Year.
This website will be regularly updated with news and information
and will pull together information from a number of sources to
provide a one-stop-shop for business advice.
Stephen Sharp from The Federation of Small Businesses in North
Somerset said: "If our community wish to keep the varied,
independent and interesting range of shops and services we have in
North Somerset it is essential that we use them as much as
possible. If we all could spend just 5% of our weekly shop with our
local bakers, butchers, greengrocers and the like, instead of the
weekly one shop in big supermarkets it would make a tremendous
difference to our independents.
"Small businesses like this are the lifeblood of our local
economy and I fully support the council’s initiative in the Shop
Local campaign."
Our Events
page contains a range of local Christmas shopping and
festivities
Leading up to Christmas there are many opportunities to purchase
local food and crafts at farmers' and country markets taking place
across North Somerset.
There are also a host of farm shops that offer an excellent
range of local produce from across the area. Buying locally
produced food can help support the local economy, reduce the number
of miles food travels and helps to reduce the amount of waste and
packaging.
See our
local food directory page for further information on where to
buy.
10 reasons to Shop Local
- Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences,
stock different, traditional and often local products.
- Local shops sell a wide range of great products at affordable
prices
- Shopping local creates and retains jobs - evidence shows
that for every £10 spent in an independent shop £25 is generated
for the local economy compared to £14 spent in
multinationals
- Shopping local can save you money – not only are many products
priced competitively, travel costs, parking and time are all
reduced
- Shopping locally helps to retain strong and vibrant
communities-.
- Local independent shops invest more in their communities and
support many local activities and organisations
- Shopping local saves the environment – no need for long car
journeys to out of town stores.
- The loss of local retailers often leads to the loss of other
local services – so shop local!
- Local shops are for everyone - most people can get to their
local shops easily and this is especially important for elderly,
vulnerable and young people and those without transport.
- Local traders survive by their reputation so will often go out
of their way to give great customer
service.