Why shop Local This Christmas?
10 ways to gift to your local economy this Christmas and feel lovely in return!
The tinkle of a shop bell…a flutter of snow on my cheeks made rosy in the cold…the notes of a festive carol warming shoppers in the street.. I’m definitely starting to think about Christmas, and these are some of the memories I have of Christmas shopping in the past: that wonderful moment when you find yourself thinking, “Hey, I’m actually feeling Christmassy!”
These days it feels like the only Christmas music playing is ‘I wish it could be Christmas’ piping on endless repeat as I lug my bags around feeling just a little bit hot and bothered, and the tinkling sound of a bell is more likely to be a text notification that my online order has gone through. Is this where Christmas shopping has got to?!
Perhaps, but increasingly online shopping for example, though super convenient and a lifesaver during lockdown, has begun to attract negative attention due to product waste, poor pay and conditions for its workers and corporate tax evasion, and at the same time, people are becoming more interested in agendas like fair trade, sustainability and supporting the local economy. A survey from Visa, found that although British people spend around a fifth of their income locally they would actually be willing to spend half with local businesses, citing local jobs, making the area a nicer place to live and keeping the town vibrant as the main reasons.
It’s clear that local high street retailers are feeling the squeeze, with increased oncosts plus competition from online and retail giants and the simple reality that most small retailers don’t have the budget, skills or most importantly, time to market themselves, leaving our much loved local independents balancing on a knife edge. So how can we help, and, just as important, are we set to gain anything from staying local this season, in fact, could it actually be, like, fun!?
According to research conducted by Visa UK, shopping local really does make a difference, with every £10 spent in local stores, over a third (£3.80) stays within the area. So this year I’ve made a quiet commitment to myself that, where I can, I’m going to shut down the laptop, put on my coat and gloves and head out into town for my Christmas prezzies. And OK, it’ll clearly make a difference to local businesses, but maybe it’ll bring some rewards for me too? Let’s take a look!
1. Love your local independents… or lose them!
As twice winner of High Street of the Year awards, Belper really is a thriving town including some fantastic independent retailers. It’s easy to get used to having these great shops on hand and to take them for granted but at the end of the day, all shops need customers to stay open or else they risk closure, as every town is witnessing with empty shops dotted up and down the street.
More than ever it’s time to stop just talking about supporting local shops, and actually get on with visiting, celebrating and spending there!
This year Love Belper are sharing the love with you in return with new Love Belper Loyalty Cards: When you spend over £5 at participating stores, you receive a stamp, and when you collect 5 stamps you get entered into a prize draw for Love Belper vouchers!
2. Tap into store holders’ knowledge and passion!
Inspite of worries over paying for essentials, we’re still looking for special gifts to delight those we love, which is where local shops come in. With a passion for what they're selling, shop owners are often specialists in their field and will carefully select their stock to offer something unique and affordable for everyone.
Reunion Deli are offering gift hampers this Christmas
If you’re struggling to think of the right gift just ask, they will be able to give you personal recommendations and bespoke help with gift selection that you’d never find online! Says Jo at Reunion Deli on Strutt Street, “I set up this business because I love food and I love community! Every single product in the deli has been carefully selected to bring the best quality and choice to Belper, and that includes sustainability too, with many products being made in Derby or the East Midlands for example. All of our staff are trained to provide you with detailed information to help you get that perfect gift!”
3. Spend less even though you may pay a little more
This year it’s even more important to be watching what we spend, so it’s worth bearing in mind that shopping online, although sometimes offering cheaper prices, can, in many instances lead to buying more stuff. “Free shipping for orders over £30” is a great example - you went online to buy a t-shirt that cost £15 and you ended up with an outfit! (Sigh - we’ve all done it!)
Avoid the trigger-happy spending that comes with clicking and head into town with a good old fashioned shopping list, and only buy what you intended, then you can afford to spend a little more on those extras that you spot along the way.
Amber Valley Council are doing free car parking after 1pm during the month of December, so you get to save on parking too!
4. Boycott black Friday and go colourful!
Believe it or not, Black Friday is just another strategy from large retailers to increase spending so that again, while you feel like you’re saving money, you are in fact spending more. And further, research into Black Friday deals from Which? in 2020, revealed that a shocking 98% of the discounts advertised the previous year - including promotions on popular tech, home and personal care products - were available for the same price or cheaper in the six months after the sales!
This year it’s even easier to ditch the hype and go colourful by keying into ‘Colour Friday’, the new alternative to Black Friday and brainchild of Holly Tucker MBE (original founder of Not on the High Street), which aims to remind people that they can instead choose to support, celebrate and, most importantly, spend with local independent retailers rather than propping up some retail giants’ sales strategy.
In participating stores in Belper a percentage of profits will be donated to Hope For Belper, so your money will be creating even more benefit for local people who are most in need this Christmas.
You can Follow Holly's campaign on instagram @Holly.co @HollyTucker #CampaignShopIndependent. Don't forget to follow, like, comment and share your local shop heroes too.
5. What if you want something truly unique?
Creative Arts Belper’s recent craft stall at Reunion Deli
But what if you’re looking for something really unique, surely the easiest thing is to go on one of the artisan websites like Etsy? Not so, increasingly these sites are offering more mass-produced goods and, following a hike in fees for sellers, artisans even went on strike last year to demand better conditions. Instead why not head out to one of numerous pop up artists craft stalls and markets in Belper and bag something truly unique, supporting a local maker in the process.
Try heading down to the Market place to check out the amazing Farmer’s Market on December 10th. On the same day Number 28 will host an arts and crafts market with some wonderful work from local artists. Or pop into Reunion Deli every Wednesday on the run up to Christmas, where artists like Sarah Brighton will have stalls featuring their beautifully crafted and affordable wares.
6. Merry Christmas shopping fun - yes it really can be!
Christmas shopping in your local town can be fun - yes, I promise you, it can (I went last year with my daughter and we absolutely loved it!)
Head down to Belper on Thursday 24th November at 5.45pm for the Christmas lights switch on and be part of a truly heartwarming local event including stalls and entertainment on King Street plus evening opening from many retailers (ends at 8pm). Come and appreciate the beautifully decorated shop windows and start your shopping in a festive mood.
The lights switch on begins a three day event with Colour Friday on 25th and Small Business Saturday on 26th, so make the effort and be part of it!
7. Be part of your community by being out there!
It’s not unusual for people in Belper to walk into town and bump into at least one person that they know. In fact my daughter often accuses me of knowing everyone! But the wonderful truth is, Belper is basically a really friendly place to live where people just chat to eachother and pass the time of day whether you know them or not. In an age when one of the biggest issues facing people today is isolation and loneliness, community really does matter, so leave behind your laptop and go meet and connect with real people… I can’t think of anything more Christmassy than that, can you?
8. Convenient and carbon cutting!
Reunion’s Festive Window ready to welcome you this Christmas!
The fabulous shops of Belper are just a walk or short bus ride away, so, if you’re able, show the planet some love and leave your car in the garage. You’ll save money and avoid the hassle of looking for a parking space, plus you can feel virtuous about getting a little more exercise (or at least cancel out that extra mince pie you had yesterday!).
9. Returns are free and easy
How many unwanted gifts have you held on to or ended up giving to the charity shop because it wasn’t worth the time, hassle or expense of returning them through the post? Hmmm, I can definitely relate to that, so this year consider buying from local shops, in the knowledge that if there are any problems with your purchase you’ll be able to speak to another human being about it and won’t have the hassle or expense of packing and posting to face.
10. Get festive with Christmas events this year
The amazing Belper Food Festival returns on Sunday December 4th when visitors get the chance to taste, enjoy and take home delicious artisan foods. Don’t miss the festival this year with stalls across the town plus entertainment and the chance to sneak in some Christmas shopping as many shops will also be open. And in the true spirit of Christmas, head down into Belper for the late night shopping on 22nd December and some real Christmas spirit with music and stalls as well as extended shopping time.
So there you have it, feel the Belper Christmas joy this year by shopping local and with love.. What better way to get into the holiday mood… Merry Christmas!
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