Local retailers need support all year round otherwise we risk losing them.
On Saturday it was Small Business Saturday and I called on family-run Jewellery Inspired at the Ryemarket and gift shop I’m Lucky in Victoria Passage in Stourbridge, which has just celebrated its one-year anniversary.
I also visited the crafts fair in Eco Maniax Zero Waste Shop in Ryemarket. One Of the stalls was run by Stacy Hammond who was selling calendars and cards featuring her artwork - do check out her artwork online - Christmas Cards are all based on Stourbridge, there is a calender and also a map of the town.
Our local retailers have had a tough time during the pandemic and they need our support to help with the recovery so initiatives like Small Business Saturday are really good. But every local entrepreneur I chat to tells me there needs to be many, many more Saturdays than just one, especially during the Christmas period.
I know we all like ordering stuff on the internet but we also need to shop local too. If we do not, our independent shops in town centres will be gone and it will be incredibly difficult to get them back.
