The Naked Grocer says: Support your independent shops

I feel very strongly about this matter - the role that the independent shops play in your town or village is crucial.

As a collective, independent shops will put far more into a community than the big supermarkets in terms of:

Finance: as a collective the business rates of all the independents in any town far outweighs the amount generated from a few 'big" stores and this is much needed money your council needs. If they are not getting the business rates from the hundreds of little shops they will be forced to get it from you.

Charitable: all the independent shops I have contact with are very charitable and community minded, and whilst the large stores certainly do some very good work in this area it tends to be for more centralised charities where as local shops generally tend to favour charities in your area.

House prices: will you get more for your home in a town with a few large shops and lots of empty shops? Or will a vibrant town full of different little shops be a more desirable place to live?

Community spirit: I feel that having a strong community feel is very important and having your local butcher, fishmonger, baker, pubs, independent cafes and coffee shops little book stores and unusual boutiques - and dare I say greengrocer - help make a community. Strong communities, it is proven, have less anti-social behaviour.

I know that time is a commodity we are all lacking and the supermarkets have done a fantastic job in making us think that they are the cheapest and best places to buy everything and anything.

Which in some cases are true, but not always. If we are not careful, when the supermarkets have completely done away with all independent traders, there prices will steadily go one way!

The quality, range and service you will receive from a person who owns, knows and believes in their shop and products will always outweigh the soulless multiple retailers!

And the information and bargains you pick up will make any small inconvenience seem inconsequential!

I wouldn't want to live in a town devoid of character and soul... would you?

But it is not enough that we want and like these shops they must be supported or you will have the very simple choice of the big chains or empty shops!

They say in America every dollar you spend is a vote... and it is true, so make your vote count.