Let’s shout about all the local businesses we have in Valley
IT’S easy to get carried away at Christmas – in fact, it’s almost as if our national economy depends on us getting carried away!
Everything seems so hyped-up, so over-thetop, so... overwhelming.
Which is what makes Rawtenstall’s approach to Christmas so refreshing.
It was wonderful to read that the start of Christmas celebrations in Rawtenstall had resulted in record numbers of shoppers into the town centre stores on the Saturday afternoon.
I love Bank Street around Christmas.
The cobbles are normally wet, meaning the simple white Christmas lights reflect beautifully down the street.
The switch-on is also an event to enjoy.
While many other town centres drag out their switch-ons for hours, Rawtenstall’s is relatively simple, and by far the most friendly I’ve encountered.
The addition of a lantern parade was a lovely idea, and hopefully one to be repeated in years to come too.
It’s a time to remember just how lucky we are to have the small businesses which operate in our area – not just in Rawtenstall, but in Bacup, Haslingden and the other communities which make up Rossendale.
And it’s also a time to make sure we make the most of those local businesses too – because as with every business, if we don’t use them, we lose them.
I’ve never fully understood why Rawtenstall needs five supermarkets within two miles of the centre – two Tescos, one Asda, a Lidl, an Aldi and a Marks & Spencer.
And that’s before you add in the Morrisons in Bacup, and a Morrisons in Ramsbottom next to another Tesco.
This isn’t a rage against supermarkets.
I don’t buy into the argument that big stores don’t add any value to the local economy, because they employ lots of local people, who presumably spend their money locally too.
But I do think as a community, we have an obligation to try and spend our money locally and support local businesses where we can.
Rawtenstall town centre is a great example of how you can do that, and have a nice time too.
Bank Street, I find, is awash with friendly faces if you do your shopping on there.
There are obviously the staples such as bakeries, butchers and a fruit and veg shop – and for each, I’d argue, all prove you won’t find better or fresher than you can by shopping locally.
But in an age where everything is just one click away online when looking for Christmas presents, local shops also offer amazing alternatives.
Rawtenstall town centre, like many parts of our area, has plenty of buying options too for presents.
Several gift shops, clothes shops, and, of course, wonderful florists too.
If you’re reading this thinking ‘this is all stating the obvious this week’, then I guess I’m only telling you stuff you already know.
But it’s important we shout about what we have, to make sure as many people as possible use it.
Rawtenstall has had a rough time with roadworks and other disruptions in recent months.
There’s also on-going uncertainty about what will happen with parking in our main town centre.
We should all try to make the most of the town centre – and hope that the powers that be continue to make it as easy as possible to get in and out of the town centre.