With the festive season underway, shoppers in South Gloucestershire are being encouraged to consider local traders for their Christmas shopping this year.
Our Christmas campaign in support of the hundreds of independent traders that make up our local high streets launches today (1 December). Throughout December we will be showcasing different traders from Chipping Sodbury, Downend, Filton, Hanham, Kingswood, Thornbury, Staple Hill and Station Road in Yate, as well as promoting local Christmas events and activities taking place.
Shoppers and traders can help spread the word and join the campaign by liking and following our Facebook and Twitter accounts and using #ShopSouthGlos.
We are also holding a Christmas window competition for traders where shoppers will be able to vote for their favourite display and be entered into a Christmas prize draw where they could win £100 in shopping vouchers to spend on their local high street (terms and conditions will apply). There will also be a prize for the most popular window display.
On average households spend an additional £740 in December*. If just 20 per cent of this was spent in local high streets in South Gloucestershire, this would be an additional £16.3 million for the local economy.
Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “Our local businesses helped to keep our communities going through the pandemic and now it’s our turn to show them some love by shopping South Glos this Christmas.
“Our local high streets have everything you will need to make this Christmas special. South Gloucestershire is lucky to have a plethora of gift shops, family-run butchers for that all important turkey, hair salons and barbers for those looking forward to that long-awaited Christmas party and lots of independent cafes, restaurants and pubs where we can meet with friends and family to celebrate.
“The high street is changing and that’s why we are committed to running campaigns like this one to help champion the important role they play and to encourage people to shop South Glos.”
Visit our website for more information www.southglos.gov.uk/shopsouthglos
Please remember it is now mandatory to wear face coverings in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers and on public transport, unless you are exempt.
*2020 data from the Bank of England www.bankofengland.co.uk/knowledgebank/how-much-do-we-spend-at-christmas
Photo caption: Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Cllr Ben Burton and Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place Cllr Rachael Hunt at the Christmas lights switch-on for Downend High Street (26 November 2021). The lights on display have been funded by Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council with a contribution from South Gloucestershire Council.
