The past eight months or so have been tough for most of us, but there has been the odd plus point as well all alter the way we live our lives. One of those plus points, for me at least, has been the return of a sense of community. And part of that has been a new connection with local businesses rather than large conglomerates. Here we look at some great reasons to support local businesses.
The Local Economy Needs Your Help
Big national companies will survive a global pandemic on the whole. Some will even prosper- such as supermarkets. Smaller businesses are really struggling however. Many will never open again. The government support has been of some help, but it is not enough. As i type, pubs and restaurants are closed until December, and times have never been tougher. Pubs and restaurants can adapt by doing a takeaway service. So use their services, it could make the difference in them surviving. But be it a greengrocer, local shop or any other business show them their love.
Considerations
Consider how you source what you buy, and perhaps stick with local businesses and support your community even after we return to normality. Putting money into your local community filters out and has a wide effect. And of course these businesses provide employment to those who reside near them and perhaps beyond. Finally, a thriving local community makes the area a nicer place to live, makes it more desirable and so can even raise house prices. Though you may not consider this a good thing!
Reasons To Support Local Businesses – Environmental Considerations
Thinking about your carbon footprint? Worried about it? Well consider the difference in walking to a local shop to get some vegetables, compared to driving to a large supermarket. Reducing use of fossil fuels saves you money too, and lowers air pollution. Food may be sourced more locally rather than having flown around the world to reach your dinner plate. and locally sourced food protects local farmland and jobs.
Starting Point For Entrepreneurs
Local businesses have to start somewhere. And your local community will include a host of visionaries with big plans for their own future that impacts on the area too. But to succeed they need support, so staying local with your purchases could make all the difference. Boycotting the big companies helps entrepreneurs to flourish. And you are supporting individuals, not stockholders or CEOS in a big city thousands of miles away. You may even know some you support!
Reasons To Support Local Businesses – Charity Begins At Home
The UK has lived through a decade of austerity and the past year has only made the situation even more serious for many. But whilst individuals have struggled, a side effect of cuts and covid is that charities need help more than ever. We all have our favoured charities, but think too about charities that need help near where you live. Their survival depends on communities getting together and making a difference.
Good Deals Locally
There is this assumption that the advantage of supermarkets, apart from convenience, is lower prices. But that is not necessarily the case. Many great deals can be attained from local vendors. And you may even be able to haggle and barter. Which is not an option in Tescos! See what is out there in your local community – it may surprise you. And join local groups online to keep up to date.
