For every £1 spent in a local independent business up to 70p circulates back into your local economy whereas shopping online or out of town, only 5p tickles back into your local economy.
Small businesses offer a personal service and extra care. Local business owners know their customers and are able to offer a better customer service.
It maintains local character of your town. By supporting local businesses it ensures their survival and maintains the local provision of services and the character of local communities.
It's better for the environment. Shopping locally promotes fewer and shorter car journeys and local stores use less CO2 than superstores.
Your local shops support other local businesses; plumbers, window cleaners, stationary companies, accountants, again keeping the money they own in the local economy
