Calls to support town traders (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Calls to support town traders

3:10pm Tuesday 30th June 2009

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A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage Spa people to support town businesses.

This weekend will see the ‘Shop Local Campaign’ begin in Droitwich Spa.

Droitwich Spa Area Partnership is launching the scheme on Saturday (July 4) to encourage residents and visitors to support the town centre. The partnership is working with Federation of Small Businesses to remind shoppers about the importance of using local shops.

The Shop Local Campaign will be a launched by Cllr Andy Dyke, chairman of Wychavon District Council, at 1pm on Saturday. The launch will take place in St. Andrews Square Shopping Centre as part of the American Celebration event. Representatives from the Federation of Small Business will be on hand to talk with visitors about their Keep Trade Local Campaign and the influence they can have.

The key feature of the campaign is a new ‘Discover Droitwich Spa’ shopping bag. The handy jute bag not only helps to promote the town but also offers environmental benefits.

The bag has been sponsored by Droitwich Spa Area Partnership, St. Andrews Square, Federation of Small Business, For Droitwich Spa and Wychavon District Council.

Shoppers can pick up their free bag from one of the information stalls at the July 4 event. Alternatively they can receive a free bag by spending £10 or more at one of the participating shops displaying the free shopping bag poster.

The shop local campaign and shops stocking the bag will also be listed on www.droitwichspa.com "Local shops have had a difficult time over the last few months," said Janet Yates, Droitwich Spa area partnership manager. "The shop local campaign is a way of reminding shoppers the role they can play in helping local businesses. Every pound spent locally not only helps keep the town centre vibrant but also supports local businesses and jobs."

For further information on the Shop Local Campaign contact Janet Yates on 01386 565355.

As well as the campaign putting focus on town traders, businesses in the Spa will now also be able to benefit from support packages from Advantage West Midlands.

The agency is now working alongside councils and other groups across Worcestershire to offer the tailored support for market towns worst affected during the recession.

Mark Pearce, corporate director for economic regeneration at Advantage West Midlands, said: “We know that times are hard in our rural areas as a result of the recession. Many market town communities are hugely reliant on a few local employers, their local high streets and tourism.”

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