As more and more people are opting to stay at home rather than shop locally, small businesses are suffering, which is why it’s important to help where we can so they can stay afloat. Here are just some of our suggestions...
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Opt for a take away: If your favourite restaurant does take away food as well as table service and you are a regular customer, try to spend the same as you would if you were to eat on the premises on food to go.
Call them up: And enquire about the possibility of home delivery services. It may be that your favourite place to shop offered this service all along, or perhaps they have set it up in light of the virus. It’s certainly worth an ask if it means you can send some money their way. Rumour has it that with everyone flocking to the supermarkets to bulk buy, smaller shops have healthy stocks of supplies, so you may find what you need there and can have it sent your way.
Swap to your local milkman: Rather than going to the supermarket or corner shop for your milk, get in touch with your local milkman and order your milk to be delivered to your doorstep. Just pop your postcode in and find which days they deliver to your area and you can plan from there.
Order your veggies and fruit from local farmers: Fruit and veg is scarce in the shops right now, so have a look online for any farmers that will deliver to your door so you can still feed your family fresh produce. Services like Abel and Cole deliver boxes of organic produce that you can tailor to what your family would normally eat.
Mobile beauty: If you can’t get to your local salon, why not enquire if they do home visits? Or seek out a mobile hairdresser or beautician to come to your home? That way you can still keep up your appointments and remain a loyal customer to them without setting foot in a shop.
Online shopping: If you need or want anything delivered to your home, try to filter your searches to include the small businesses who are offering the same items as larger companies. For instance, if you need to order a card- look for handmade ones on eBay or put a call out on Facebook for local businesses who make or sell what you are looking for.
Leave feedback: If you find that your local business has been able to cater for your needs during this difficult time- champion them on Facebook and Twitter to let all the people know in your area that they are still open for business as usual, even if it means changing the way you shop with them.
And... don't cancel your window cleaner or your gardener- you can always pay them electronically.
MORE: Coronavirus: Seven positives that can arise from staying at home
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