Councillor launches Shop Sheffield campaign to support small businesses

A Sheffield councillor has launched a campaign urging people to shop local.

Martin Smith, shadow cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield City Council, said small businesses have played their part in the coronavirus crisis.

“Corner shops, pharmacies, post offices and garages have stayed open, sometimes when it was really difficult for the people who run them,” he said.

“During lockdown many of us have rediscovered the great service they provide to the local area.  Staying at home and staying healthy has been much easier with their help.”

The Shop Sheffield campaign will also help the city in the context of economic slowdown caused by the pandemic, he added.

“At a national level experts are predicting a deep economic recession over the next 12 months, so the council and other stakeholders must move quickly to develop a long-term recovery plan for the city. A key feature of this must surely be greater support for our small, independent companies. Every time we spend money with them, more of it stays in our local economy,” Smith noted.

He said it is important to support the independent businesses to secure the future of the city.

“When we come out of lockdown let’s celebrate our independent local businesses; the ones that have kept us going through the crisis.

Keep giving them your support and custom, because we will need them in the future. And that’s good for Sheffield.”