This week, consumers across the UK have been urged to shop locally to help local businesses and communities to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Naturally, many high street businesses have been hit hard during lockdown, with turnover and cash flow lost while bills still have to be paid. Many have been back in action for some time but have yet to see business getting back to anything like pre-pandemic levels.

In order to help boost consumer confidence and business activity, the Shop Local campaign highlights a number of key reasons why customers should visit their high streets this week.

They include supporting the local economy, protecting the environment and saving and creating jobs. The availability of great value, competitive deals is another, especially in relation to locally produced goods and services.

Importantly, thriving high streets also help to sustain thriving communities as they offer places for people to socialise and share experiences, as well as places to shop and to work.

They are also key to generating revenues to fund local public services such as libraries, parks and roads.

This week’s campaign is intended to provide a big boost to small businesses, which have endured some of the most challenging months they have ever had. As they re-open their doors, safely, the public can help by making an extra effort to support their local businesses. Whatever the goods and services they provide, they all need the support of their communities in order to survive this crisis and thrive.

For those businesses who haven’t been able to reopen, or members of the public who are continuing to shield, then shopping online can still provide opportunities to choose local suppliers.

However you choose to do it, by supporting the Shop Local Week, you will be supporting Worcestershire’s small businesses and the many communities that they serve.