Shop Local to support businesses and protect jobs

They are supporting a national campaign run by the UK Government which aims to encourage people to support safe small businesses in their communities.

The initiative is running throughout this week and is part of the summer-long #EnjoySummerSafely umbrella campaign.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “The authority is a strong supporter of the Shop Local principle and has been for some time, actively campaigning to support smaller businesses across the Borough.

“Statistics show that there are clear benefits in terms of boosting the local economies and creating and protecting jobs when shoppers rediscover and support their local independent shops.

“I would encourage people to support this campaign, but it is also important that we all continue to shop local as often as possible on an on-going basis to maximise the benefits for the Borough.”

His comments were supported by Janice Auton of Totally Locally Hartlepool, a group run voluntarily by Hartlepool business owners to encourage people to shop at local independent businesses.

She said all of the businesses had worked hard to create a safe environment, and added: “If every adult in Hartlepool spent £5 per week in their local shops and businesses, instead of online, at a national chain or at the big supermarket, it would be worth £20 million going directly into the local economy, back into our town. This means more jobs, a stronger economy and security for those we employ.”