After the 2012 highs of the Royal Wedding, the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics, 2013 was always going to be tough....
But then we had the end of the worst recession in living memory. An Englishman, er, sorry - Brit - won Wimbledon. The best summer for donkey's years. The birth of a new prince. Star Trek into Darkness... The list goes on!
So, 2013 was actually a great year for many. And we've got loads to look forward to in 2014. The World Cup, for one. But to bring us back to what thebestof Shrewsbury is all about - local - there is a huge amount of positivity from independent business owners. Sure enough, the good ol' days of sitting on your backside and new customers simply dropping in are long gone. But with the explosion of marketing tools such as social media and app development, smart business owners are taking advantage and using pro active ways of driving sales. And, at last, banks - or at least some banks - are lending again.
Which is why you've probably noticed that there aren't so many empty shop units in Shrewsbury anymore. New businesses are starting up. Successful businesses are expanding. And to win more custom they've got to engage with you - the lovely Shrewsbury public - more. Whether that is inviting you to like their Facebook page, entering your name into a prize draw in return for your email address, or simply giving you an old fashioned grin when you walk in... it's all good for the consumer.
They'll be negativity around of course. Not everything can be rosy. But there are some people who'll find a cloud underneath any silver lining, so best avoid them! 2014 is a fresh chapter, the first blank page in your new book... so we wish you all the very best for 2014.
Enjoy!
By Andy Rao
