We enjoy supporting local businesses here in Gloucestershire…

The value in supporting local businesses within the county is vital to maintaining local employment, diversity of goods and reducing carbon footprint.

It may sound obvious but what are the advantages of using local shops and suppliers?

It’s easy to be enticed in by large multi nationals operating fleets of vehicles out of large warehouses, but are we slipping out of the habit of using local businesses? The pandemic has brought a surge of people to local businesses who have had the ability to act fast by providing customers with ingenious ways to keep their valued customers post-lockdown. We are now looking to the future, and we are having to look closer than ever about the damage we are doing to the local economy and the planet.

Environment

Using local suppliers and shops is kinder to the environment. Often stocking local products this means that miles are cut from producer to shelf. This also means that you do not have to travel far to access local goods and can look at reducing your own carbon footprint.

Employment

Keeping busy and growth in local villages and towns keeps local employment and self-employment. Quite often local employees then spend their income locally too keeping a self-perpetuating cycle of growth.

Innovation and Creativity 

Local independent businesses are where innovation and creativity happen without the barriers that national businesses need to overcome. Small businesses are able to constantly review, adapt and change at very short notice cutting red tape and becoming local pioneers.

Service

When you buy locally, you are buying from local business enterprisers and more importantly – people, not boards, stockholders or algorithms. The local touch means local businesses are keen to go the extra mile to deliver excellence rather than being dictated to about what they want you to buy.

Local supporting Local

There are lots of businesses that supply other businesses in a reciprocal way meaning that quite often there is a large, loyal local business group that often shares ideas and thoughts, making it more powerful and adaptive to local situations. If every adult in the UK spent £5 per week in their local shops and businesses, instead of online, at chain stores or huge multinationals, it would be worth £16.8 billion going directly back into our towns. Which means real jobs, better facilities and nicer places to live. Makes you think, doesn’t it?

Contact us about ways we can help you, your business and the environment.
www.officeworx.co.uk