Big chain companies are hard to avoid sometimes, offering cheap rates and convenience as they are often dotted along our high streets.

 

But, when you’re presented with the choice, why should you choose to shop locally? The Seaton Lane Inn, a Hotel in Seaham, tell us why giving your cash to smaller businesses is the way forward.

 

Sustaining economies closer to home

 

Nowadays, choosing where you spend your cash can have a big impact on the survival of surrounding economies. In fact, research has shown that spending just £10 with a local independent shop can equate to an additional £50 into the economy. This is because local business owners put the money back into the community through spending themselves at local services.

‘spending just £10 with a local independent shop can equate to an additional £50 into the economy’

By supporting small businesses in your own town or city, you are essentially safeguarding the prosperity of jobs in the area. The more that they can grow, the more jobs that they can offer too.

Statistics showed that if 50% of the small businesses that are currently trading were able to take on one more person in the next 12 months, there would be more than two million new jobs created! As you will know, the more people that are employed in your area results in more money being pushed into the local economy and then invested in you!

 

A personal touch

 

Often, attentive customer service is only found within local shops, as chain stores tend to focus more on sales.

Many large corporations choose a similar promotional style, making them hard to distinguish from their competitors. Compare this with a local business and you’ll probably discover that the décor fits with the local aesthetic of the area and any marketing materials are tailored to the custom that they get in their own branch.

Many Alnwick Restaurants including the Hog’s Head Inn are experiencing a string of ‘regulars’ in their venues, showing the value in building this kind of relationship with your customers.

In most cases, the local pub will be owned by a person who lives in the area. This means that they can often bring a more personalised touch to the customer service they offer and connect more with their visitors.

This kind of customer relationship builds a stronger, warmer presence, making customers feel closer to the business. If there is an event being held in the area, for example, it’s likely that the business will become part of it — perhaps by offering complementary products or creating an offer that fits in with the occasion.

 

Environmentally friendly

 

Locally sourced produce tends to be the most popular choice in independent stores, such as bakers, butchers or farm shops. Corporate companies often own a few farms or production plants around the country. As all products must be transported from here, this journey can cause a loss in nutrients too. They’re then also heavily packaged in plastics to ensure a safe transportation — different to locally sourced goods.

 

More bang for your buck

 

In smaller, local stores, bartering with the owners over price is a more likely occurrence. You might find that your grocer gives you a few extra buns here and there and your local farm shop gives you an exclusive deal just for being a loyal customer.

‘You might find that your grocer gives you a few extra buns here and there’

The sense of familiarity built between local store owners and their customers is unrivalled, as they are usually able to recommend products based on the contents of your typical basket.  It’s unlikely that you’d get this sort of repertoire with a national chain company.

So, enjoy better deals, more sustainable produce and a friendship with your local store owner when you choose to shop at independent retailers. Take the leap and spend your cash in a smaller business from now on and reap the benefits!

 

Sources

 

https://smallbusiness.co.uk/fifteen-reasons-choose-local-company-2542429/

https://www.wireuk.org/knowledgebase/six-reasons-to-shop-small-and-local/

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/dec/06/shop-locally-small-business-saturday-seven-reasons



Commentary



Leave a Reply