When a national lockdown was announced in March 2020, experts and non-experts alike began to worry for the state of the UK economy once the lockdown ended. While the aftermath has not been as devastating as many people anticipated, several industries have been particularly affected. One of the sectors to have suffered the most from the lockdown is local, small, and independent businesses.
Big brands such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple, among others managed to thrive during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. They’ve seen soaring sales and huge turnovers. However, a lot of smaller businesses did not do so well, with many even having to shut up shop altogether.
Supporting your local small business is a piece of cake. Really – it could mean buying a piece of cake from the bakery down the road rather than a supermarket. Whether it’s down the road, a trip to town, or ordering something from a county over, it couldn’t be simpler. Today, we will be looking at the best ways to help boost your local economy.
Buying Local Produce
Something that can often put people off shopping from smaller businesses is that the product can sometimes be more expensive than chain brands. However, it’s often for good reason: usually because small brands cannot produce stock en masse like bigger brands and usually have better ethical trading. We do not all have enough disposable income to go for the more expensive option.
However, one type of produce that is usually the same price or even less expensive than it would be in the supermarket is edible produce from a market. Most towns and villages have a local market. Fruit and veg stalls are easy to find and, pound for pound, you usually find their fruit and veg are no more expensive than those from a supermarket.
This goes for most local food eateries as well, for instance, bakeries or cafes. They often don’t have the brand recognition to lure in customers off the street; subsequently, their unique selling point is their economical pricing.
Staycations
With the uncertainty of lockdown restrictions, especially regarding travel, there’s never been a better time to holiday in the UK. Of course, helping the UK’s economy isn’t the only reason to stay put this summer. There are many reasons Britain is a great place to vacation and here’s just a few:
- The beaches – Looking for white sand and clear blue sea? Look no further than Cornwall. We have stunning seaside only a few hours car drive away or closer. If you’re worried about the weather, it is easy enough to look up on the Met Office website.
- The culture – Paris, Milan, New York. They’re all good places to visit, but we have London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast on our very own doorsteps. Whether you’re looking for an ancient city full of history or a thriving modern metropolis, you’re sure to find it in the UK.
- Less hassle – No maximum bag weight, passports, customs, or airport waits needed. Simply hop on the bus, train, or in the car and you’re set!
- The cost – All inclusive holidays have soared in popularity in recent years due to the cheapness of them. However, without flights and fees that come with going abroad, you’re going to be saving a lot of money on your staycation.
Hit the High Street
We fully understand the ease of online shopping. It is a brilliant invention for anyone with mobility issues or those who need specific products to suit their needs. However, when you can, hitting the physical shops is a great way to boost the local economy by keeping businesses thriving. Having a buzzing shopping area also attracts tourists who, you guessed it, spend more money! You might even discover a fantastic small business you wouldn’t have found while surfing online.
Do Your Research
Shopping online is inevitable sometimes and that’s 100% okay. However, there are ways to be crafty online too to make sure you’re helping, not harming your local economy. There are many ways to find out whether a business such as a clothes shop is based in the UK and furthermore if their products are sourced and produced here too.
Websites such as Good on You help you find out which clothing brands are ethical and unethical. The Make it British member directory can tell you what brands were born and bred in Britain.
Promote Local Business
Whether it’s by word of mouth or by social media, sharing a good local business or talking about an experience you had with a local business can lead to more traffic for them. Even leaving good reviews for every positive experience you have can have an impact!
How We Can Help
Boosting an economy requires people to spend money. However, here at Careline, we understand this is not viable for everyone. If you are struggling financially there are many great services out there that can help. Find out more financial tips here.
Here at Careline365, we strive to eliminate people’s concerns and worries. We do this with our life-saving personal alarm service. Careline personal alarms can give users and their loved ones the peace of mind that they need to carry on living independently and confidently
To find out more about the Careline alarm service and how it can help you, read our quick guide or check out our range of products here. Alternatively, contact our friendly team online or by phone – they’ll be happy to answer any queries you may have.
You can order your Careline alarm online at any time. Prices start from just £13.89 per month.
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