A county town is offering discounts to shoppers who spend their money in the local area this Christmas rather than taking the easy option and going online.
Marketing body Discover Charnwood and Charnwood Borough Council are encouraging people to spend their money in Loughborough and the surrounding towns and villages to keep the local economy going during the downturn.
A campaign web page has been created on the Discover Charnwood website with targeted promotions across social media and in local media over the coming weeks.
Businesses can also get involved and get some free promotion, with the chance to get help with short promo videos which will then be shared on social media.
Coun Shona Rattray, who leads business support at the north Leicestershire council, said: “We fully appreciate many people are worried about rising prices and bills, but this is also a tough time for local businesses.
“We are encouraging people to buy locally if they can. It doesn’t have to be a large purchase or even a purchase at all – sometimes a good review of a local business is a great way to show your support.
“All we are saying is please consider buying local, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, a period many businesses rely on to see them through the year.
“Local businesses can offer something different, great value and they are often the first ones to support local causes and communities.”
The campaign is being supported by Love Loughborough BID whose manager Lisa Brown said: “This is certainly a tough time for households and businesses, but we would fully support the call for people to use their local shops and businesses if they can.
“Local independent shops can not only offer something unique and different, they can also offer great value. Each small purchase can help. If you can buy local in Charnwood, please do.”
Businesses that want to get involved in the free promotions can visit discovercharnwood.co.uk/BuyLocal and submit information and images – pictures or video – which will be turned into short videos to share on with the council’s 20,000 social media followers.
