Keep it independent over Christmas

THE DIRECTOR of an organisation boosting trade in Redditch has urged Christmas shoppers to support independent retailers.

Ros Sidaway, from the Redditch Town Centre Partnership as well as The Retail Coach, works with small, private shop owners in a bid to help them increase customer numbers and sales.

She said: "Independent shops are vital to local communities and towns and yet many are struggling against larger stores which are slashing prices to lure in shoppers and clear stock. Shopping locally supports traders, their suppliers and the people they depend on to run their businesses.

"I would appeal to residents to spend a proportion of their Christmas budgets - be that on gift and food shopping, partying on pampering - with local, independent businesses who serve customers, so bars, restaurants and salons as well as traditional shops."

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