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 long-
winded 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. www.simplyspalding.co.uk | SIMPLY SPALDING | 17
