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The Shoppers Guide Magazine has extended the enterprising initiative to include Clay Cross, Tupton, North
Wingfield, Heath, Heath Village, Temple Normanton, Pilsley, Lower Pilsley, Hasland, Grassmoor, Wingerworth and recently Alfreton in the social, economic and environmental benefits that shopping
locally can bring - including creating & retaining jobs.We're keen to counter common misconceptions that local shopping is more expensive or offers less choice. On the
contrary, shopping locally can be the most eco-friendly option, while helping to keep your own communities vibrant and alive. The Shoppers Guide 'Shop Local First' campaign aims to
raise awareness of the need to back local businesses, to preserve the unique character and economic viability of our villages for generations to come. Many people mistakenly believe that shopping
locally costs more, but if factors - such as travel, time and costs in transporting larger items home - are taken into account, the overall cost of buying locally is often much lower. With warnings of global warming almost constantly in the headlines, shopping locally offers the ideal opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint. Local businesses often stock
a high percentage of locally sourced goods and products, reducing the need for long car and bus journeys, and are convenient for all - especially elderly, vulnerable, disabled and young
people "We care and so should you…". Other plus points of shopping locally include a more personal
shopping experience. Utilising local businesses helps build more direct and responsive relationships with YOU the customer, high standards of customer care and service, generous support for
local charities and community events, and help in maintaining private, voluntary and public sector services. In villages like Clay Cross and Hasland, shops aren't just
places to buy things, they encourage community spirit and a feeling of belonging, where residents meet to find out what's new. We hope as many people as possible will give
their full backing to our 'Shop Local First' campaign, by supporting our many and varied retail traders as much and as often as they can. 10 Great Reasons to Shop Locally 1. Local shops sell a wide range of
great products at affordable prices. Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally & are then
surprised by the range of products and gifts available. 2. Shopping local saves you money Out of town shops have done a good job of convincing us all that
sole traders = expensive, but the evidence just isn't there to back this up. If you add in travel, parking costs, fees to transport larger items home and your time, the overall cost is often much
higher. 3. Shopping locally retains our communities People don't like losing shops and services in small towns and villages but don't equate this to how they
spend their money. Shops will only survive if customers spend locally – so if you want a vibrant village centre, where people can socialise as well as shop, shop locally. 4.
Shopping local retains our distinctiveness – no clone towns allowed! Many town centres in Britain look the same with franchises and multinationals. Independent
shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Independent shops keep traditional local products alive. They respond more quickly to the needs of local customers,
stocking products to meet the changing population needs. They can also be more innovative organic products were first developed by independent traders.
5. Shopping local saves the environment We are all aware of CO2 emissions and our environmental impact. Local shops, which often stock a high percentage of local sourced goods,
products and do not require long car & bus journeys to get to, help reduce our global footprint. 6. Shopping local creates jobs Shops in our town centres
and villages create local employment and self employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy Over half a million people are employed in retail in our rural towns and villages.
Evidence shows that for every £10 spent in an independent shop £25 is generated for the local economy compared to £14 spent in multinationals. 7. Local independent
shops invest more in our communities Sole traders and independent stores are proportionally more generous in their support for local charities, carnivals, schools and community
events. So supporting local shops means a financial return for our community. 8. Local shops are for everyone Most people can get to their local shops easily
and this is especially important for elderly, vulnerable and young people and those without transport. Keeping your shops open by buying locally helps the whole community.
9. Local shops value you more Evidence from numerous surveys shows people receive better customer care and service in local shops. Traders survive by their reputation and
repeat business - so shopping local means that you get a higher standard of service. 10. Shopping local saves services Private, voluntary and public sector
services cluster around shops. The loss of the High Street often corresponds to a reduction in these services. As shops disappear, so do hairdressers, vets, dentists etc
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