Amesbury Shop Local First Campaign
Monday, 1st February 2010
There are many benefits to shopping locally including saving time and money as well as doing your bit for the environment – prices in local shops not only compare favourably with big chains but are often cheaper. Produce in local shops is also more likely to be genuinely local, not having been redirected to a central distribution warehouse – saving both money and food miles. Stonehenge Chamber of Trade are not suggesting that we all avoid supermarkets and big chains altogether but are encouraging people to redirect some of the money they would normally spend in the supermarket to the local shops. Just £20 of your weekly supermarket budget would make a huge difference to the local community. A recent study showed that every £1 spent with a local supplier is worth £1.76 to the local economy, compared to only 36 pence if it is spent out of the area. Money spent with an online only store gives nothing back to the local community. The local community is growing every month with the ongoing development at Archers Gate and if more local residents spend some of their money with independent business the town will become busier and attract more new businesses and investment in the town - Amesbury could be a completely different place in 3 years time. After all, independent businesses are what give our towns and villages their character – without them everywhere would look the same! More info can be found on the campaign’s Facebook page ‘Amesbury Shop Local’ with participating businesses posting news and special offers on the site – simply become a fan of the page to be kept up to date with the latest promotions. Also look out for the posters around the town.
Author: Alex
