Member Article

Local trade campaign gets celeb boost

A local trade campaign has recently received the backing of scientist, social historian and broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis. The Federation of Small Businesses’ Keep Trade Local campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to safeguard the future of small independent shops and the communities they serve.

The FSB is offering support to local campaigns across the country to protect high streets from what they term “draconian parking and planning policies that discriminate in favour of large, out-of-town supermarkets”. The business organisation is also working with politicians on the Keep Trade Local campaign and has set up a petition on the Number 10 website.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said: “We’re very pleased that Adam Hart-Davis recognises the importance of small independent shops for the future of local economies and we hope his backing for our Keep Trade Local campaign will convince others as well.

“Over half of business turnover from small retailers is returned to the local community. The same cannot be said of the supermarkets and the large retail multiples. “The average person now travels 893 miles a year to shop for food. Our message is that shopping in local independent shops is good for the community, good for the environment and good for you.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .