Supporting Local Business

Supporting Local Business

Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and provide distinctive products and services.

Larger companies have homogenised offerings which are the same wherever you go. Here are a few reasons to use local businesses.

• Local economy: Research on spending shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.   
  
• Creating local jobs: When there’s an increase in demand, there always an increase in supply. Buying locally can boost the employment rates in your area by increasing the need for more workers.  
  
• The environment: The lure of next-day delivery makes it hard to resist online shopping. Local produce is made and produced locally, therefore supporting a local business has a lower carbon footprint due to cutting out any overseas shipping, truck deliveries, excessive fuel consumption, air pollution, packing facilities or refrigeration. Shopping locally means shopping more sustainably.  
  
• Encouraging Entrepreneurs:  Shopping locally supports local entrepreneurs and by helping their businesses to grow, you’ll be helping the local economy by increasing demand thus increasing the number of jobs in your area.  
  
• Helps add character to your local area: Local businesses make high streets unique, which will attract tourists and visitors. To develop tourism, local community participation is essential. Local food, local culture and festivals are add-on products to tourism and it also provides authentic experiences to the tourists.  
  
• Local business for local charities: A lot of local businesses support charities that are relevant to your area. Not only are you helping your community thrive economically, but you are also increasing charitable donations.
  
• Empty shops are unsightly: A run-down town centre is unsightly which deters visitors. An empty town can also affect house prices within the region, so instead of buying online, walk into your town centre, see the products in person and spend within your local community.