10 reasons why shopping locally is best… (2/2)

Five more reasons your community means so much more than you might first think… Read part one here.

The knowledge

Ever been into a local shop and they’ve reached for what you want before you’ve even asked? Or recommended a new variant to what you normally buy? It’s an off-shoot of the people power thread, but it means so much. Relationships between customer and owner are a wonderful thing — think of all the places you like shopping the best and chances are it’s that friendly bond that makes you keep going back. It is irreplaceable.

Health

If you work locally, it gives you the option of walking to work, cycling or taking public transport. The same applies if you are shopping locally. That benefits you and your neighbours, reduces traffic and pollution and — for anyone who must face the rush hour every day — means a whole lot less stress.

Independence means originality

What could be more demoralising than moving from city to city, town to town and everywhere looking exactly the same. Let’s call it the ‘Stepford Scenario’. It’s happening. How many times have you been in another town and ended up on a retail park that is full of the same shops and stores that have back home? More than you probably care to think of. It’s impersonal, boring and predictable. Now walk down any high street and say the same thing. Sure, there’ll be the odd chain shop, but there will also be artisan bakeries, delis, bars, clothes shops, tattooists… in short, characterful businesses who have gone it alone. And they are enriching our lives without us even knowing it.

Making something special

It’s no surprise that ‘quarters’ are popping up all over the UK. These quarters are filled with certain types of businesses and bars that give an area a specific identity and, guess what? People love them. We all crave for something different and unique and they are created by thriving businesses, bars and restaurants. It can make something very special and even attract tourist. Camden Town, Brixton, Manchester’s Northern Quarter… they all are made up of independent, unique and imaginative business brains. Andy they can happened anywhere and give your community an identity all of its own that can mean so much for the local population.

It’s in our DNA

Britain was once labelled “a nation of shopkeepers” — that’s because we value the service, familiarity and convenience. Community is a wonderful thing. Let’s not lose the ones we have and make sure they are around for a long time to come…