Splash the cash to help local traders
Once again we’re renewing our call to make this the merriest Mackem Christmas ever! Let’s face it, we could do with some uplifting news after the misery of a second lockdown.
Which is why our Support Local campaign is taking on yet more significance.
A whole section of our Big Conversation survey revealed a shift in consumer confidence and shopping habits.
When asked, 45.1% of readers said they had visited their local city centre a lot less since shops were able to reopen, while 24.2% said they hadn't visited at all.
The survey will come as no surprise to many businesses in Wearsiders who have noticed a drop off in trade. But that can turned around for the benefit of the community.
Sharon Appleby, of Sunderland BID, has issued a rallying call to back our campaign. She said: “It can really make a huge difference to the local economy if everyone makes a conscious decision to buy their Christmas gifts, food and essentials from our retailers, to support our pubs, bars and restaurants and also consider all the experienced professional services expertise we have here.
“It may be a different kind of Christmas this year, but by working together we can still create festive spirit and goodwill.”
More than 70% of those surveyed agreed that “the Christmas period will be a good opportunity to support local businesses.”
We need to be as good as our word … and make this the merriest Mackem Christmas ever.
to indulge in such luxury and would appreciate a warm bed and a wholesome meal instead of soup kitchens and food banks. As for the free school meal crisis, no child in the UK should go hungry within our current welfare system as recently highlighted by Marcus Rashford. Where do the parents stand in all of this, what do they do with the money and family allowance given to them?
Surely they have to take full responsibility and prioritise clothing and feeding their children. Some parents are quick to blame the Government at every opportunity for their own failings, they never seem to be without booze, ciggies, latest mobile, beauty treatments or designer tattoo, these all cost money that should be spent on the kids.
The people who I feel sorry for are the tax paying families who work hard to make ends meet, not the work-shy who have guaranteed income from the Government who shout for more and more, just like Oliver Twist.
The UK is overcrowded with free loaders, greedy people who know how to milk the system and have no pride or guilt.
In my opinion, it’s some parents’ shameful selfishindulgence that causes a lot of the current child poverty that we have today not lack of more Government money.