PM: BUY BRITISH AND BRING FESTIVE CHEER
As shops finally fling open their doors today, the Prime Minister backs our campaign showcasing the very best of what’s MADE in the UK
TODAY the Prime Minister urges the country to buy British and turbo- charge the national recovery.
Mr Johnson is backing the Daily Express’s “fantastic” Brilliantly British campaign launched to protect jobs and give a crucial shot in the arm to UK businesses – both big and small – in the critical run- up to Christmas.
'It’s fantastic the Daily Express is encouraging us all to spread cheer'
BORIS Johnson today backs a crusading Daily Express call- to- action aimed at boosting hard- pressed British high streets and businesses.
As the national lockdown ends and hundreds of thousands of shops prepare to reopen, the Prime Minister praised our Brilliantly British campaign.
“It’s fantastic that the Daily Express is encouraging us all to spread that festive cheer around UK producers, growers, manufacturers and retailers by buying Brilliantly British this December,” he said.
He implored consumers to
“make this a Christmas to remember” and praised our 15- day campaign, which will roll out a series of great offers, discounts, competitions and shopping ideas in this newspaper and at express. co. uk. By buying
British, said Mr
Johnson, you’ll “put a spring in the step of the farmer who grew your sprouts, the kitchen table entrepreneur who stitched your son or daughter’s babygrow, the factory worker whose job is secure thanks to your custom”.
Over the next two weeks the Express will bring you a superb selection of the best of British producers. Many are familiar names with a high- street presence, others are tiny boutiques.
Some are iconic brands, renowned throughout the world – such as Jaguar Land Rover and designer handbag retailer Mulberry – but we also have small craftsmen and women who can afford only to sell online.
And all of them are working hard to keep this country’s time- honoured skills, traditions and spirit of entrepreneurship alive.
Each one has produced quality goods, helped secure jobs, and invested in craftsmanship even while the pandemic and two national lockdowns helped to create one of the worst economic crises ever to hit our nation.
It’s been a tough year, and the British economy is not expected to return to pre- Covid output until the fourth quarter of 2022.
Our campaign launch comes as experts warn of a £ 9billion slump in retail sales in the 2020 run- up to Christmas compared to this time last year, and Philip Green’s Arcadia empire poised on the brink.
The British Independent Retailers Association said: “It’s the most important December ever for retailers.”
Indeed, because if the nation’s traders can survive for a few more months, the whole country will benefit.
Brexit, with all its freedoms and opportunities, is only weeks away. Covid vaccines are on the horizon, promising a return to normal life. So now, more than ever before, British businesses need YOUR help to thrive.
Our Brilliantly British campaign will feature products across a wide range of industries, from fashion and engineering to farming and beauty goods.
We will tell you all about the people behind the products, and how their dedication, passion and expertise feeds into everything they do. Celebrity chefs will tell you about the best produce from their regions, sharing their secrets about top local suppliers.
Plus, there will be fantastic competitions with exciting prizes and great discounts available exclusively to Daily Express readers to thank you for your custom. Businesses taking part include popular brands, such as skincare company Neal’s Yard Remedies and British jewellery designer Alex Monroe, whose charm necklace was worn recently by Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
But there are smaller start- ups too, including Bury Black Pudding Company, founded by former market stall Saturday girl Debbie Pierce, and luxury dog bed brand Hugo & Otto, launched after years of hard saving by Cheshire- based designer Caroline Bate.
Brilliantly British is being supported by one of the
UK’s best- loved consumer brands, Camelot, which runs the National Lottery.
Nigel Railton, Camelot UK chief executive, said: “At this time of national crisis, I’m proud to support the Brilliantly British campaign which is designed to get us all pulling together, buying British products and supporting British retailers and manufacturers.”
Our first competition is open to amateur photographers, with an amazing Brilliantly British “money can’t buy” prize.
And in tomorrow’s paper you can enjoy the first in our series of Brilliantly British products, featuring quality UK clothing brands offering a host of discounts for Daily Express readers.
As the Prime Minister says: “Let’s make this a Christmas to remember by buying British.”
‘ Let’s make this a Christmas to remember by buying British’