Government launches Shop Local Week to support local economies

The initiative is the latest facet of the government’s Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, which is designed to coax consumers back to a ‘new normal’ way of life, whilst adhering to the necessary safety protocols on the high street.

Businesses up and down the nation’s high streets have been busy introducing a string of safety measures to safeguard themselves and their customers from contracting and spreading COVID-19. These include plentiful hand sanitiser stations and plastic partitions between shoppers and staff at tills.

The Shop Local Week campaign is designed to help consumers feel safe again on the streets and in-store, with government guidelines setting maximum limits of customers per store to maintain social distancing.

A successful, vibrant high street is essential to maintaining the beating heart of local communities across the UK, whilst protecting jobs and even creating new ones in the months ahead.

Furthermore, a friendly, familiar face during Shop Local Week can give shopping experiences a much-needed dose of normality that so many consumers will have missed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Throughout Shop Local Week, many independent retailers will have the chance to champion the benefits of buying local compared with their well-known competitors. An independent retailer’s commitment to customer service will often see them go the extra mile to help consumers find exactly what they need.

Shopping local is also a greener way to buy goods and services. It curbs the carbon footprint of shoppers, helping to reduce road traffic and subsequent air pollution across the UK.

Alok Sharma, Business Secretary, said: “Business owners have done an incredible job so far to welcome shoppers back safely, and I hope people across the country will do their bit this week to help our high streets bounce back to protect jobs and support local communities.”

Karl Sandall, Group CEO of TaxAssist Accountants, believes the time is right for consumers to “support local businesses and strengthen the local economy”.

“We've been avid supporters of the 'Buy Local' campaign for over a decade and we're delighted to see the Goverment support this great cause. There are many benefits to supporting independent retailers and the thousands of businessses across the UK that depend upon their survival through the local supply chains. The Shop Local initiative is also key to supporting local employment and future jobs that could be created through this kind of support.

”Indepedent retailers near your home are a key part of the small business community.  They truly represent the backbone of the UK economy and they will be working harder than ever to deliver a first class service to their customers and continue to your local economy."

The government is in the process of distributing Shop Local Week assets to small retailers up and down the country, allowing them to share the message and engage with prospective local customers on and offline.

Date published 10 Aug 2020 | Last updated 28 Nov 2023

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