The Leicester Mercury is encouraging its readers to use markets, independent retailers and farm shops in a "Support Your County" campaign. The Northcliffe-owned daily (circulation: 66,000) is also urging companies and other organisations to use local suppliers.
Deputy editor Richard Bettsworth told holdthefrontpage: "Local stores already have it tough because of the massive power of the supermarkets. The recession has made life even more difficult for them... People may feel powerless to do much about this but our message is that by making a little more effort to use these stores more frequently and also to buy local produce we can help to protect businesses and safeguard jobs in Leicestershire."
