Shop local, shop safe with local businesses

The aim of the dedicated week is to demonstrate how these businesses have adapted since the outbreak and how shopping locally can also mean shopping safely.

The initiative has been welcomed by Market Rasen Town Partnership Group, led by Stephen Bunney, who also serves as a town and district councillor.

He said: “The Shop Local Week is a great initiative, but we have to support our local businesses not just for one week, but long term.

“Our local traders have been there for us during the pandemic and now we need to be there for them to help rebuild the local economy.

“We need to not just think about those shops and businesses in our main shopping area, but also those on the town’s peripheries.

“There are many businesses, for example, on the Gallamore Lane estate, which stayed open during lockdown to provide vital provisions and services.”

Mr Bunney also fully endorsed the eight reasons to shop local laid out by the government. These are: supporting the local economy; saving jobs – and creating even more; great deals – even more now with the current Eat Out to Help Out discounts; a safe way to shop; preserving the heart of the community; spoilt for choice – often stocking local products; better shopping experience and helping the environment, both as local shops often source their goods locally and also by shoppers more likely to walk or cycle to get there, doing their bit to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic and improve the quality of the nation’s high streets.