Festive shop local campaign launched in Melton

Melton BID has been working with Melton Borough Council on the venture, which it is hoped will encourage people to spend their money in the town this festive season.

The campaign comes at the end of a year when traders and business owners have faced unprecedented challenges during the Covid pandemic.

Recent research commissioned by Visa shows that for every £10 spent with a local business, more than a third (£3.80) stays within the area, to help the local economy.

Non-essential shops were forced to close at the beginning of November but they will reopen on Wednesday as the second national coronavirus lockdown ends.

Despite the Melton borough being placed under the highest Tier 3 restrictions from next week, all retailers can reopen although pubs, cafes and restaurants can operate only delivery and takeaway services.

The new campaign encourages local people to buy as many of their Christmas gifts as they can from town businesses with car parking free today and on all succeeding Fridays in the run up to Christmas.

Chair of Melton BID, Lee Freer said “Businesses in the town and local area have tried so hard to keep open, doing whatever has been required of them in what has been one of the most challenging years for a number of them.

“This is why we feel that launching the Stay Safe Shop Local Melton campaign is so important for our town.”

Councillor Alison Freer-Jones, the borough council’s portfolio holder for climate, access and engagement, said: “The council is working closely with the BID to listen, support and help businesses to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

“Many of our local businesses are run by local people, these are our neighbours, friends and family.

“As we are all spending more time at home, now is the perfect time to explore local shops that we may not have had the chance to before and to support much-loved businesses we know well.”

By choosing to shop local this Christmas, the campaign leaders point out, we can double the amount of money that stays in our local area at a critical time for our independents and small businesses.

Businesses have worked hard during lockdown, putting Covid-secure measures in place to ensure they are operating safely and adhering to the government guidelines, so they can welcome back customers.

They have also adapted quickly, with many local independents remaining open this lockdown with a click and collection service and free delivery service.

Many started selling online or via their social media platforms.

Most Melton restaurants, coffee shops and takeaways have also continued with a takeaway collection or delivery service.

The Stay Safe Shop Local campaign aims to promote businesses still closed due to national restrictions, by supporting them online or with click and collect.

Window stickers have been produced as part of the campaign and will be distributed to all the town’s businesses this week.

The Melton Town Centre App is also being used to promote the town’s businesses, with a full directory of the town centre businesses, including address, website, email address, phone numbers and social media.

The App also includes local offers and discounts available in the town each month.

The ‘Melton Town Guide’ can be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store or the Android Market.

Motorists will not be charged in the borough council’s long stay car parks, on Burton Street, Mill Street and Scalford Road today and the three following Fridays, on December 4, 11 and 18.