Support our campaign to help local businesses
SHOPS will be able to reopen next week after weeks of lockdown closed all but essential retail across the country.
Only deliveries and click and collect orders have been allowed since national restrictions were brought in earlier this month.
But now stores are preparing to roll up their shutters again and cash in on the Christmas shopping rush.
Nevertheless, it’s a tough time for the region’s independent retailers, who’ve lost out on a large chunk of the most lucrative time of year.
That’s why we’re asking readers to step up and support them with our Order Local campaign.
We know money is tight for many people this year and many of you will be keeping an eager eye on the latest Black Friday deals.
But we’re asking you to put your money where it matters this year and pledge to spend some of your Christmas shopping cash with local traders too.
We understand many people will still be choosing to stay at home and shop online even after lockdown lifts.
So that’s why we’ve teamed up with our sister site Inyourarea and ReachPLC titles to create a search tool where you can find local shops offering delivery and click-and-collect services on your doorstep.
All you have to do is enter your postcode in our online story, at www. staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/burtonnews/ heres- how- you- can- step4732992 You can help spread the word by sharing a picture of your purchases on Inyourarea and on social media with the hashtag #Orderlocal.
Don’t forget to tag the business to show your support – and you can share it with us too by tagging us on Twitter @ staffs_live
The campaign is being backed by the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA).
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of BIRA, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Burton Mail on this important campaign to bring shoppers back to the shops.
“This is such an essential time of the year for retail and this idea will be thoroughly welcomed by all independent retailers and shoppers.”
Ed Walker, editor-in-chief of Inyour Area, said: “We saw hundreds of restaurants and pubs benefit during the first part of Order Local and we will be able to support shops across the UK.
“This it to ensure they get the support they deserve from their local communities.”
If you’re a local shop owner, it’s not too late to claim your free listing.
If you’re operating a delivery or click and collect service in the run-up to Christmas, just fill in the form on the webpage above, or go to this webpage to fill in the form: https://form.jotform. com/203154763465356
It’s completely free to list your business and it will soon start to appear for some of the 500,000 people across the UK who use Inyourarea each day, and millions more across the Manchester Evening News website and Reach PLC’S regional titles across the country.