What would happen if ..

What would happen if every person who reads this paper spent an extra £5 a week with the small traders in their town centre?

When you buy from local traders your support can help to build your community, you can try before you buy and very often you will get some great advise along with your purchase.

Local shops often have unusual items, something a bit different that can make gift buying and giving a fun experience. Small gift shops and markets support new businesses in the area and enable a new generation of designers and retailers to sell their ideas.

A great bonus of buying your weekly food from local farmers and retailers is the option of buying in season. This cuts down on wasteful packaging that fills the recycling bin, reduces the carbon footprint of buying food imported great distances and improves your health by eating in season items pollinated by local bees.

The shorter journey from field to fork also means fresher food with more nutrients. This all sounds too good to be true, in many ways it is great news as all it takes is 15,000 households spending just £5 a week in their town centre to bring £3.9 million a year to the local economy.

Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

So what is stopping you?

Use your town and shop local for a month and see what a difference it makes.