Shop Local

What’s On

The Importance of Keeping it Local

As we hear the news that several prominent retail sites in the town look set to close we are looking at more empty shop fronts, loss of jobs and a sad town centre.

We all want the speed and convenience of online shopping today but quite simply how do we expect the town centre shops to stay open if we are changing where we spend our money?

We are not alone famous UK retail names that have vanished in the past couple of years include Toys R Us, Maplin and Poundworld. HMV is on the brink. The Centre for Retail Research reported that 43 retailers bit the dust in 2018, affecting 2,594 stores.

So what’s the answers? How can you make a difference?

The first thing to consider is where you spend your money, we have many national and also a great mix of independent shops on our high street which unless we support them they will not thrive and survive. National stores work on statistics and if a store isn’t performing it will be closed. Independents have more of an emotional approach but facts are facts and accountants reports are final; hard decisions have to be made but ultimately business owners have to close if they aren’t supported by the community.

Why Supporting our Small Business is Supporting Our Community

Small businesses create jobs. Many of the ‘new’ jobs that we are told have been created in the UK in recent years have been created by people who have taken the leap of faith to go self-employed, or

start their own business and grow it so that they can employ others.

Spending money with a small business keeps more money in your local economy. Research by local authorities in the UK has shown that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, 63p stays in the local economy. This compares to 40p in every £1 spent with larger businesses. Small businesses will spend more of the money they earn locally, buying products and services from other small businesses, going out to eat and buying tickets for local sports events, the local cinema and local theatre shows. It’s a real win-win situation for our local businesses and communities, helping other businesses to thrive and safeguarding local jobs.

Small independents add colour and variety to our towns and villages. It would be a boring shopping experience if every street had the same national chain stores. One great thing about the big High Street shopping names is that you know what to expect. They are successful because they are consistent when you go into a branch anywhere in the country. Of course they bring shoppers into town and they provide jobs. But it’s also great when you find a one-off shop, founded and run by people with a passion for what they do.

Small business owners are at the forefront of innovation. Owners of independent businesses have the freedom, agility and flexibility to run things their way. They don’t have to go through longwinded processes to get approval for new ideas and they can respond quickly to what their customers want. They know that by building up loyal, regular customers who shout about their business to others, their business will grow. They will listen to your feedback and ideas and that means you can have a bit of influence over what they sell.

Small businesses care about their reputation. Businesses only enjoy longevity by delivering great customer service, quality products and services and value that keeps their customers coming back – and continually attracts new customers too. Shopping local is about the guarantees you have because you know the business owner and their standing in the local community.

Small food businesses are often more environmentally friendly. When you shop at a local bakers, butchers, market or farm shop, it is likely that a high percentage of what’s on sale has had a relatively short journey from where it was first produced.

So how does the high street of the future look like?

Council planners across the country are having to think smart about what the high street offers. Where retail stores once stood they are being filled with services such as medical centres, children’s activity destinations, training centres to compliment the retailers and bring a purpose into bringing people into the town.

Independent Professional Eyecare Advanced 3D Ocular Health Scans Eyewear Styling Consultations Bespoke frames and lenses 40 Minute Appointments Prescription Sunglasses NHS appointments Contact Lenses Hearing Tests At Clark Family Eyecare your eyes are our priority, your eyewear is our reputation and our time is yours.

Payment plans for spectacles and contact lenses are available.

20 Market Place | Donington | PE1 1 4ST | 01 775 821 888 | www.clarkeyecare.co.uk

Fireplaces & Multifuel Services Multifuel & woodburning stoves from just £299 Valor and Dimplex centre with fi re surrounds Summer Off ers on all Stoves, Fires & Surrounds www.bostonheating.co.uk For the best deals, visit or call: Boston 01205 310 327 Boston Heating, Church Road, Boston PE21 0LG

£25 off frames & lenses this month (excluding our Netline Collection)

CALL US ON 01205 310 710 www.davidhallgateopticians.co.uk 86-88 Wide Bargate Boston Lincolnshire PE21 6SE We can deliver YOUR leaflets to local residents! Costing as little as £30 +VAT per 1000! Why not call us on 01775 640254 for details?

INFO@DCSSECURITYSYSTEMS.CO.UK WWW.DCSSECURITYSYSTEMS.CO.UK

07341844757

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

We install a range of both wired & wireless intruder alarm systems for home & business INTRUDER ALARMS

Fire alarm systems installed and maintained for commercial and domestic premises FIRE ALARMS

We offer users a variety of options for gaining secure access to a building ACCESS CONTROL We specialise in the latest HD IP cameras & analogue HD CCTV systems for home & business CCTV SYSTEMS

EMERGENCY LIGHTING We design, install & maintain high quality emergency lighting

EXTERNAL DETECTION We offer range of wired and wireless solutions to external detection

OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE - ALL WORK GUARANTEED

APPROVED INSTALLERS OF

HIKVISION CCTV PAXTON ACCESS CONTROL CSL DUALCOM PRODUCTS PYRONIX ALARM SYSTEMS

If your kitchen dreams are bigger than your budget, try some of these ideas. You can scale down your project by doing less construction, trimming luxury materials, or rethinking the ingredients that make up traditional kitchen design. Let these ideas help you get a lovely kitchen for a little less money. Kitchen Makeover on a Budget

Substitute Furniture

Not every wall in the kitchen needs to be wrapped in cabinetry. Use furniture creatively to achieve an unfitted look on a budget. Create a pantry from an armoire or an island from an old table.

Research Before You Buy

Compare prices. Most big-item stores carry additional products online and will special order just about anything from top manufacturers at below list price.

Refinish Your Cupboards

If your cupboards are in good working condition, but you don’t like the style, refinishing them is the best way to get a new look for less. Homeowners with basic do-it-yourself skills can give them a fresh coat of paint. Or, send them out to a paint

shop for a factory-finish spray coat.

Wallpaper

The sky is the limit with wallpaper. Use them to dress up a wall, to apply to a cupboard door, or to line the back of an open cupboard. They deliver an instant style upgrade.

Splurge Sensibly

If your heart is set on a material, then splurge. But to keep costs in line, choose the material in a way that will make a big impact for less. Take marble, for example. Use it on a small island instead of all counter surfaces. Or shop for a marble tile to use as a backsplash.

Paint Anything!

Without a doubt, paint is the fastest way to a fresh look for the least amount of money. Use

it to freshen old wood floors, to remake tired cupboards, and to add a focal point wall to your kitchen. With careful prep work, you can even paint counters and backsplash tiles.

Assemble Your Cupboards

Flat-pack or ready-to-assemble cupboards reward homeowners who are willing to invest a little elbow grease with deep discounts. The cabinets come flat and unassembled. Each box needs to be built before it can be hung.

Accents & Appliances

Consider replacing sinks, lighting, and appliances as part of a total makeover. If these elements are more than 10 years old, they’re probably showing signs of wear and may not have some of the convenience, style, and operating features that today’s products offer.

Eliminate Upper Cupboards

If the budget is tight and you can do with less, install lower cupboards only for a significant cost savings. In place of upper cabinets, you can display art, hang a shelf or two, or create a feature wall.

Easy to Clean

There are unlimited options for paint and wallcoverings to spruce up the walls -- just make sure that whatever you choose can be easily cleaned. There are also many kinds of window treatments, but for ease of installation and cleanup, keep the design uncomplicated.

Bathroom Installs All aspects of Tiling

ICENI Tiling & Bathrooms No Job Too Small email: iceni_tiler@outlook.com Mob: 07835 727066

Reliance Plumbing Established 1995 Based in Boston covering all of Lincolnshire

Relianceplumb@gmail.com Tel 01205 352875 Mob 07957143099 www.relianceplumbing.co.uk Our Services S Bathrooms full Installation or Replacement S Wall and floor tiling S Hot water cylinders S Water Softener Installation S Dish washer/washing machine installation S Replacement showers / cartridges S Ball valve replacement S Blocked drains S All other plumbing works S No job too small Professional and reliable service, close customer liaison and a high standard of workmanship.

Telephone Kev on: (01205) 481259 Mobile: 07770881259 Professional Painting & Decorating Service at competitive prices Kev Gosling Painter & Decorator ALL ENQURIES WELCOME No obligations, fixed price quotations (No VAT) Unit A, Ropers Lane, Sutterton, Boston, Lincs PE20 2HZ Vehicle repairs PLUS the areasONLY Independent Vehicle Air Conditioning Specialists 01205 461575 - 07833705363 mail@lrs-autorepairs.com • www.lrs-autorepairs.com ✸ Car and light commercial servicing ✸ MOT’s ✸ Tyres ✸ Auto-Electrical Specialists ✸ Diagnostic Testing ✸ ECU Programming ✸ Diesel Pump & Injector Programming ✸ Key Programming ✸ Vehicle Air Conditioning Specialists ✸ Courtesy Vehicle Available