However we must remember about all the ones that are still trading and with our help can continue to provide us with the goods and service that they offer for many years to come.

We welcome the opening of our very own Debenhams store this week and we hope that it will bring more shoppers into the City, however we also must remember those retailers and businesses who have supported us for the past two years.

Here at thebestoflichfield we need your help as we are on a mission to support our local independent retailers and businesses by supporting them and buying local wherever we can.

So consider when you are about to start your weekly shop do you want to choose the local supermarket simply for convenience or do you go to your local butcher where you will be treated to a rare smile, help with packing your bag and they can 100% guarantee where their meat is from.

They may have every type of fruit and vegetable you have ever seen but how did it get here? How many air miles did it travel?

Wouldn't you rather have fresh locally grown asparagus than some tasteless imported product from Argentina?

Perhaps a visit out to the Packington Moor Farm Shop will get your taste buds flowing, where their butcher will suggest ways to cook their locally produced pork. There are handy menus for you to cook their more unusual vegetables and you can pick up some homemade bread & cakes for tea!

It's not always about food, our independent retailers spoil us with up to the minute fashion, clothes, shoes and bags right here in town.

We have top of the range local designer jewellers, fantastic hair & beauty salons, kids wear, dance wear, kitchen ware, computer hardware/software. Furniture and gifts, silverware, plants, opticians, dentists, estate agents, photographers, interior designers you name it 90% of the time you will find it in Lichfield.

Our fantastic builders, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, carpet cleaners, oven cleaners, glazing specialists all trusted and highly recommended here on thebestoflichfield by people just like you, who have used their services.

‘Buy Local Week 3rd – 9th June’ is a campaign supported by The Best of Lichfield, which champions recommended independent businesses in the area for the benefit of residents and businesses alike. The core element of the campaign is to get people to do more for the area – a simple sticker in a window or car is one way but just changing how we spend can make a huge difference to the local economy.

Locals who go to www.thebestof.co.uk/lichfield to pledge their support during Buy Local week 3rd – 9th June, will be entered into our daily prize draw. Every day, for 7 days, 5 lucky supporters will win £100 to spend at a great thebestof local business. Get pledging and it could be you!”

Look out for us during the week we will be at the Farmers Market on Thursday 6th June where we will be handing out goodies and asking you for your local recommendations.

So come and say 'hello' and help us to support 'Buy Local'.