Why it’s important to shop locally

When you buy locally from us, you are supporting the economy in the area where you live, boosting employment and the circle of spending within that community.

Many small artisan shops like us wouldn’t be able to keep going without the support of, and custom from, the neighbourhood where they’re based.

Here are some more wonderful reasons why it’s good for you and everyone around you to shop locally whenever and wherever you can.

Supporting our community

By shopping in Shirley, you are pumping money back into our community. Check out the statistics here.

Backing employment

We purchase from other local businesses. They employ people and we employ people locally. This creates a more prosperous community from which we all benefit.

Protecting our neighbourhood

Shopping on your local parade of shops keeps it alive. Keeping businesses running means they generate revenue to support local council services that make our community a better place to live.

Better for the environment

When shopping here, people travel less and often walk or cycle to do their shopping, significantly reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.

The value of everything

Often, products purchased locally might be perceived as costing more than in the multi-nationals but artisan bakers like us make bespoke, not mass produced, products that are fresh and quality driven.

Backing Britian

Small businesses are at the heart of our economy and our country’s revenue generation. There are move of them than the larger organisations.

Making it personal

Smaller shops offer a community-focused shopping experience. We are often able to greet customers by name and have a personal connection with them. We care if someone hasn’t been in for a while. We ask you how you are and mean it.

For many, chatting to a shopkeeper may be the only daily contact they have, as the world has become so isolated. This little bit of human connection can be vital in supporting mental well-being and giving a sense of belonging for all ages, but especially for our older and more vulnerable neighbours. 

Plus, people who are your neighbours often run small, independent shops on parades and their know about your community!

A sense of community

Small independent shops like us are part of the community. They form part of the glue that keeps it all together, when they go, the community spirit ebbs away too, as people stop going out in their neighbourhood, meeting in the street, chatting outside the shops and popping flyers on counters or posters on noticeboards.