Support Local: Why it's time to back local businesses during the second lockdown

The Federation of Small Businesses is backing a JPI Media campaign urging people to continue to support local independent businesses during the second national lockdown.
Nicola Newlove, owner of Crust and Crumb in Chapel AllertonNicola Newlove, owner of Crust and Crumb in Chapel Allerton
Nicola Newlove, owner of Crust and Crumb in Chapel Allerton

The Yorkshire Post is among JPI Media titles stepping up the #supportlocal campaign in the run-up to a uniquely challenging Christmas.

Physical shutters may have come down on non-essential shops until at least December 2, but many independent stores continue to offer online sales and services as well as click-and-collect trading, which was unavailable during the first lockdown.

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Mike Cherry, national chairman of the National Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small businesses are well and truly at the heart of our communities. That’s why it’s never been more important to support your local firms and, by extension, the community in which you live.

“You can still do this, even where premises have had to close because of Covid restrictions.

“Many pubs and restaurants have adapted to offer takeaways or deliveries, cake shops and cafes sell their treats via online delivery platforms, independent retailers trade online as well, some even using the likes of Zoom or Facetime to offer live demonstrations of their products.

“There are many small stores selling essential items that are very much still open. You don’t have to go to a big brand supermarket to buy your turkey and trimmings”.

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Nicola Newlove, who has run coffee shop and bakery Crust and Crumb in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, for ten years, has made major changes to the way she operates her business.

She has set up a drive through and a click and collect service at the Harrogate Road coffee shop and an online shop at www.crustandcrumbleeds.co.uk goes live tomorrow. “It has been a massive hurdle and we have had to adapt to keep going,” she said.

“The drive through is doing amazingly well. We have got such a good community in Chapel Allerton and a lot of very loyal customers who have ordered from us every week since March.”

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) is also backing our #supportlocal campaign.

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BIRA chief executive Andrew Goodacre said: “Money spent locally is recycled locally, often paying for local suppliers, local people for their work and preserving local livelihoods.

“Every thriving community needs this local economy to prosper. My message to shoppers is straightforward... think local when it comes to shopping.”

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