'Shop Local Week'

​Shepton Mallet Chamber of Commerce is urging shoppers in Shepton Mallet to make the most of 'Shop Local Week' (10-16 August) to help local businesses in our town rebuild from the Coronavirus pandemic.

'Shop Local Week' is part of the government’s 'Enjoy Summer Safely' campaign, encouraging people to get back to the way of life they have missed, while following safety guidelines. From popping into our local family-run bakery for a loaf of bread, to buying a quirky gift from one of our many independent shops, or popping to the weekly market. By shopping locally, you can help our local businesses and community to get back up and running.  Not forgetting the 'Eat Out to Help Out' campaign, which is running until 31st August on Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's, where you can get 50% off food and non-alcoholic drinks when you eat or drink in.

Shepton Mallet is blessed with superb local independent businesses, which have had a tough time but we are delighted to see the vast majority now back open again - and now they all need our support. Even those businesses who haven’t been able to reopen, or members of the public who are continuing to shield, then shopping online is a great way to still do your bit.

Shopping at local businesses and using local trades brings money into the local economy, creates and may help save jobs. By spending money in a local shop, restaurant, café or pub, you can do your bit to aid their recovery. Business owners have done an incredible job so far to welcome you back safely, now is the time to show them some love.

Here are 8 reasons why customers should visit the high street this week:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. Consumers can also save money eating out - the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme is being provided by the government, saving diners up to £10 per head on eat-in meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in one of the 73,000 participating businesses.

4. A safe way to shop
Businesses across the country 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, plastic partitions at tills and hand sanitizing stations.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

---