With a boom in online sales and takeaways during 2020, the new ‘Shop local’ directory will help residents who would prefer to spend their money supporting local businesses – rather than international retailers and chains – to do so more easily.
The directory lists local shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs, and for each business sets out what safety measures are being taking during the pandemic. This might include new covered outdoor seating areas for people to meet up outside, or takeaway hatches or deliveries which are now available from eateries that previously only offered food on site. Or it could include an independent shop offering orders via Facebook for home delivery, or online gift ordering to collect at an allotted time.
With more information available about what individual businesses are offering, it will be easier for residents who want to support local businesses to be able to do so without any worry.
The directory is live at www.scambs.gov.uk/local-business-directory. More and more businesses are signing up (which can be done via the same link), encouraged by the free listings. Residents are also encouraged to follow the Council on Facebook and Instagram to see posts shared from local businesses with details about festive offers or seasonal events.
Cllr Peter McDonald, Lead Cabinet Member for Business Recovery and Skills at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Our new directory will really help residents discover and support local businesses as they sort their Christmas shopping, stock up on festive food or venture back into local eateries. By buying from local independent businesses, customers not only have the opportunity to source gifts that are a little bit different, but they can also help the wider community by helping to keep local businesses afloat and neighbours in work.”
The scheme is run by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Reopening the High Streets Safely team, which was established in the spring with European Regional Development Fund funding aimed at helping High Street businesses to safely reopen their doors after the first lockdown. It has been visiting businesses to offer guidance and support, as well as sharing videos online to promote the many ways local businesses have been adapting and bouncing back in response to national restrictions.
Any customer-facing business needing support is encouraged to contact the team: Reopening@scambs.gov.uk