Before heading out-of-town, ask yourself ‘Can I get this locally instead?’

Top Ten Reasons to Shop Local

We all know it’s more fun to shop locally in Heswall - you see old friends, make new ones and, into the bargain, get a personal service from shops as you become known. But there’s more to it:

1. Keep the Character

Heswall is unique. By choosing to support locally owned businesses, you help maintain it’s diversity and distinct character.

2. Community-building

Locally owned businesses help build strong neighbourhoods by sustaining communities, linking neighbours, and by supporting local causes.

3. Your Well-being

Walking around between shops – in the fresh air, will help keep you fitter and healthier. If you can walk TO the shops, instead of driving, even better.

4. Keep Cash Local

Buying locally produced goods, or spending money in local shops keeps wealth circulating in our community – having much more impact than money spent out of town. So businesses don’t just survive, but thrive.

5. Jobs and Wages

When shopping locally, you help keep local jobs, as well as create new ones, so helping social improvement and promoting community development. Local employees spend locally, too.

6. Entrepreneurship

The chance for people to start new enterprises serves as a means for them to achieve their personal and financial ambitions. Entrepreneurship helps fuel Britain’s economic innovation and prosperity. Why not start your own (local!) business??

7. A Regular Shopper is a Happy Shopper

Shopping locally and regularly, creates customer loyalty which, in turn, produces a rapport and personal service – and happier customers! Great for consumers - and great for shopkeepers.

8. Environmental Issues

Shopping locally helps to sustain compact, walkable town centres - which in turn is essential to reducing sprawl, and the pollution associated with car transport. Local shops often buy in and sell local produce, giving support and fair rates to local suppliers - providing food and goods that haven't been flown halfway across the world.

9. Competition

A marketplace of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and competitive lower prices over the long-term. Local shops may offer better value than big supermarkets for fresh fruit and vegetables.

10. Product Diversity

A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much more ‘tuned’ range of product choices.

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So, go for it! Avoid the crowds, the petrol costs and the frustrating traffic queues. Stay local and enjoy good service and product knowledge, safe also in the knowledge that you’re doing something definite to help keep your local shops in business and your local community thriving. Long live the good old ‘British High Street’!

For more information, visit the Friends of the Earth site at:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/news/2006/april/shop_local_first.html