Shop local and support our little stores at time of need

Shoppers have flocked to our reopening city centre stores, such as Primark on The Moor, but columnist Conrad Guiney says local stores need our custom too

Since the reopening of most non-essential shops, the public has flocked back to the stores they have dearly missed over the past months, such as Zara, Primark, JD Sports and Greggs.

It’s important for our city centre that these stores are reopening and their customers are returning, but equally important the local, smaller stores also receive returning and new customers. Many of these smaller shops, often in neighbourhoods, have shut, so it is important we support the returning ones.

During lockdown, I became aware of a local running store and this week finally had the opportunity to purchase a pair of actual running shoes and put my makeshift Reebok

Workout Plus trainers aside.

After trying on many pairs in store, I decided on a pair of Brooks as they were the most comfortable and this was my priority. There were other pairs which were more stylish and cheaper, but I stuck with the Brooks as I knew this shop could do with any extra pounds.

It’s clear our locals need support: not just financially but also emotionally.

These are tough times for small stores and they need our encouragement to sustain.

JPIMedia's Time to Support Local campaign, in association with Sheffield BID.

During the lockdown we’ve seen owners walking in and out of their closed shops and making calls. The sight of a store owner in an empty shop has filled me with compassion.

The coronavirus has placed many of us into difficult times and through this hardship we have become more empathetic. I think the sense of community is tangible right now and shops are an integral part of this.

Understandably not everyone in Sheffield has cafes, food stores or wine shops on their doorstep, but I think ‘local’ does necessarily need to mean down the road.

A local shop can be 10-minute walk or a five-minute drive away.

I see local shops as small, non-chain and with an owner who you can get to know.

Now more than ever, our local stores need support: for the business owners, the community and its livelihood.

One of the few positives of lockdown has been the blossoming relationship we’ve had with our neighbours; it seems right to extend this kindness to local shops.