Leading figures in the North Lakes area have shown their support for The Keswick Reminder’s Shop Local campaign.
The campaign aims to encourage readers to support high street businesses to help traders who have been particularly badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
With lockdown having been eased on Wednesday, and with traders still reeling from the restrictions which have been placed upon them, there has never been a more crucial time to support local businesses.
This was recognised by Keswick town and Allerdale borough councillor Sally Lansbury at a meeting of the town council when she urged people to shop local. She said most traders now had an online presence and appealed for people to turn their backs on the likes of Amazon and instead buy local.
This call was endorsed by town councillors who encouraged people to consider giving gift vouchers from local shops as presents.
“Keeping your shopping within the local community in Keswick means the money we spend is redirected back to the people and places who both create it and need it,” said Mrs Lansbury. “We buy our gifts locally, the money stays local and is respent with local suppliers.
“Why give more profit to distant shareholders? Keep our local shops robust and healthy and keep our friends and family in regular work. This makes a massive difference to our communities.”
She said most retailers would feel as though “the rug had been pulled from under them” and added that several “wonderful” independent shops had already closed and they would be missed.
“Shop owners invested in winter stock many months ago — that money has been spent,” she said.
“Furloughing helps the staff but not always the business owners, especially if they have not been trading for very long and don’t qualify for any support. They are on an absolute knife edge.”
She urged people to “think creatively” in the run-up to Christmas and give vouchers for pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Her main message was: “Keeping the money local has a huge effect on the future of our shops — it keeps them open. It keeps our main streets and town centre healthy and varied and it keeps many of our friends and family in work.
“Don’t give your money to the millionaire and billionaire fat cats — keep it local, shop local and look after local people.”
Keswick mayor Paul Titley echoed her message, saying: “It’s a simple case of use it or lose it. We have some terrific shops, cafes and suppliers. We must not allow Keswick to become a ghost town.”
Mr Titley was of the opinion that the Government had taken “a clumsy cudgel” to the high street.
“We do need food, but allowing supermarkets free rein to sell a whole range of non-essential goods was a mistake at the beginning of lockdowns, but unforgivable once the consequences became obvious,” he said.
Vanessa Metcalfe, of Keswick Tourism Association, said supporting local businesses had always been important but now more so than ever.
“We have lots of small, independent businesses here in Keswick and they have been hard hit this year,” she said. “The shops aren’t just for the visitors, they are there for local residents too, something that Keswick Tourism Association have always recognised and encouraged.
“When you are doing your Christmas shopping, resist the temptation to buy online and make the most of the wonderful shops and galleries we have in Keswick. You might be surprised by what you find.”
