BUY LOCAL WALK-IN CAMPAIGN 2012

At this time when local independent shops and businesses could do with all the help they can to make a strong recovery from the recession, thebestofsouthend is pleased to be launching the "Buy Local" Campaign for 2012.

As we are all about “local to local”, we are keen to encourage and support local businesses and encourage local people to USE or LOSE their local independant retailers.

This is increasingly important in the face of some recently quoted known statistics by The Federation of Small Businesses, for example:

• • 2000 local shops are closing each year
• • Supermarkets take £7 out of every £10 spent on the high street
• • Approximately 27 pubs a week are closing

As part of this campaign we are:

• providing "Buy Local" stickers for businesses to proudly display in their premises or business vehicle windows
• providing a means for local people to recommend local businesses they have had a good experience of, so we can use this feedback to help further promote awareness of great local business.
• Using the hashtag #buylocalsouthend on Twitter to tweet about our efforts on the ground.
• Promoting those businesses who display a BUY LOCAL sticker on our Facebook page.

Most people instinctively want to do more shopping locally, but when push comes to shove many of us still head elsewhere for our shopping. 

Why is this? 

What’s missing or lacking about our local high streets?

If we don’t have these answers how can we possibly tell the planners, local authorities or our politicians what we need them to do? 

Help us to answer these questions by posting your comments on the blog or our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thebestofsouthend)

So, if you are the owner or proprietor of a local business, help us help you, by doing the following:

• Proudly displaying one of our "Buy Local" stickers in a prominent position in your premises or vehicle window.
• Tweet us using the hashtag #buylocalsouthend
• Talk about our campaign to other businesses and your customers.

Together we can attract the attention and support of the local people of Southend and the surrounding areas.

To obtain your "Buy Local" sticker/s please email us on southend@thebestof.co.uk

And dont forget to have your say - post your comments on our Blog and our Facebook wall!