6 Reasons to Shop Local
1. Invest in Your Community
Every pound spent locally strengthens the local economy. According to a recent government study, for every £10 spent in local shops, £3.85 is recirculated within the community. This boosts economic recovery nationwide and fosters long-term prosperity.
2. Supporting Local Jobs
Local businesses source products from nearby farmers, manufacturers, and service providers, keeping them in business and sustaining local employment. A thriving network of small businesses helps create new job opportunities and strengthens the community.
3. Preserving the Heart of Your Town
A vibrant high street is the heart of any community. Without local shops, towns risk becoming “ghost towns,” forcing residents to rely solely on major supermarkets or online retailers. Supporting local businesses ensures funding for essential services like schools, parks, roads, and libraries.
4. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Shopping locally means shorter travel distances, less air pollution, and reduced traffic congestion. Locally sourced products also require fewer transportation miles, cutting CO₂ emissions significantly. Unnecessary food transport currently accounts for over 35% of the UK’s CO₂ output—shopping local helps change that.
5. Cost vs. Quality
Local butchers, bakers, and greengrocers often offer fresher, higher-quality products at comparable or even lower prices than major supermarkets.
🚨 Did You Know?
Cauliflowers grown in Cornwall are harvested on Monday, sent to London for grading and packaging on Tuesday, and transported back to Cornwall by Thursday—often taking up to seven days to return to local shelves. Does that make economic or ecological sense?
6. A Personal Touch
Local businesses are run by people from your community who know and care about their customers. A friendly conversation at your local shop can brighten someone’s day, providing much-needed human interaction, particularly for elderly or vulnerable residents.
Information taken from Reasons Why - Shop Local UK Org
Every pound spent locally strengthens the local economy. According to a recent government study, for every £10 spent in local shops, £3.85 is recirculated within the community. This boosts economic recovery nationwide and fosters long-term prosperity.
2. Supporting Local Jobs
Local businesses source products from nearby farmers, manufacturers, and service providers, keeping them in business and sustaining local employment. A thriving network of small businesses helps create new job opportunities and strengthens the community.
3. Preserving the Heart of Your Town
A vibrant high street is the heart of any community. Without local shops, towns risk becoming “ghost towns,” forcing residents to rely solely on major supermarkets or online retailers. Supporting local businesses ensures funding for essential services like schools, parks, roads, and libraries.
4. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Shopping locally means shorter travel distances, less air pollution, and reduced traffic congestion. Locally sourced products also require fewer transportation miles, cutting CO₂ emissions significantly. Unnecessary food transport currently accounts for over 35% of the UK’s CO₂ output—shopping local helps change that.
5. Cost vs. Quality
Local butchers, bakers, and greengrocers often offer fresher, higher-quality products at comparable or even lower prices than major supermarkets.
🚨 Did You Know?
Cauliflowers grown in Cornwall are harvested on Monday, sent to London for grading and packaging on Tuesday, and transported back to Cornwall by Thursday—often taking up to seven days to return to local shelves. Does that make economic or ecological sense?
6. A Personal Touch
Local businesses are run by people from your community who know and care about their customers. A friendly conversation at your local shop can brighten someone’s day, providing much-needed human interaction, particularly for elderly or vulnerable residents.
Information taken from Reasons Why - Shop Local UK Org
* Consider *
Using local banking or building society's
Buying groceries from farmers markets
Shopping in boutique clothing outlets
Visiting independent pubs, cafes and restaurants rather than chains
Using local utility services such as plumbers, builders and other tradesmen
Exploring your communities amenities and leisure centres rather than going further afield
Using local beauty and services
Buying groceries from farmers markets
Shopping in boutique clothing outlets
Visiting independent pubs, cafes and restaurants rather than chains
Using local utility services such as plumbers, builders and other tradesmen
Exploring your communities amenities and leisure centres rather than going further afield
Using local beauty and services