Traders urge people to ‘shop small’ for Christmas
A STARK warning has been issued by Exeter’s independent traders for people to support local businesses more so than ever this Christmas due to ‘uniquely challenging times’ which are increasingly resulting in shop closures.
A number of businesses have closed in the city recently, including St Anne’s Well pub, Exeter cocktail bar, Doctor Ink’s, Exeter cafe Ebdons and trendy shop No Guts No Glory.
New research, conducted by South Western Railway, has named Exeter as the joint fifth best city in the UK for independent shopping. According to its figures, Exeter boasts 17 independent stores per 100,000 people.
While cycle shops stand out as the strongest sector in the area with 11 retailers, Google search interest reveals a demand for indie fashion entrepreneurs. Independent fashion brands and independent clothes shops are said to have increased 500% and 100%respectively in Exeter since 2018.
But Kalkidan Legesse, founder of sustainable fashion retailer Sancho’s in Fore Street, has penned an open letter to the ‘dear people of Exeter, and beyond’, signed by many other local independent business owners in Exeter. It holds a plea to help make their Christmas wishes come true by supporting traders closer to home.
In the letter she says: “This year has been one of the most challenging for businesses across the city. We have navigated the increases in the cost of raw materials we need to trade, new challenges of trading with our European neighbours shrinking our markets and faced the cost of living crisis affecting so many in our community.
“This combination of external hurdles has created the perfect storm. Many of the small and independent businesses in the city are facing uniquely challenging times.”
She continued: “I believe that creativity, culture, and community in Exeter are grown and nurtured in its community of small and independent businesses.”
She adds: “I have seen children delight in the Halloween costumes of my neighbour’s shops, new musicians finding their footing in Manson guitar shop, and apprentices learning the skills of their trade in our award-winning beauty and hair salons. I’ve seen hundreds of people repair their bikes at Hardy’s Bikes ahead of summer weekends, and multiple generations of families commission custom shoes for themselves at Chuckles.
“Loved ones and distant family members share meals and tell stories in our fantastic cafes. I’ve seen homemakers travel cross country to find vintage treasures at Bracket Interiors, and students, professors and authors huddle together
Many small and independent businesses are facing uniquely challenging times
KALKIDAN LEGESSE
to delight in new novels at Bookbag.
“With each visit, each person, in each business, enjoys welcoming smiles, delights in unique experiences and in many cases browses climate-friendly products, and contributes to our cities culture. For these reasons and many others, we have one request for you this year; a request to prevent as many businesses from closing their doors as possible.
“It’s a simple request that can be summarised in two words; shop small. Shop small and invest in your community of independent business. In return, your community of independent businesses will continue to invest in our shared city.”