In a recession it’s often the local shops that suffer first. Lacking the backing of the major chains they struggle to compete. But one business community is fighting back – by working together.
Live and active, in their community and online at Pemberton Local (external link), the Pemberton community association and business partnership are establishing themselves as a major force supporting their town.
“It’s a great way to get to know the local people, and spread the word about what the shops and services have to offer,” says Alison Glover of Pemberton Lighting. She and business partner Allison Pike have been trading for nearly 30 years, having bought the business a few years back from their old boss.
The business partnership meets monthly and is creating a local map to list all that the town has to offer for distributing to residents.
Cllr Paul Prescott, local councillor and member of the council’s cabinet, believes this fits in with the council’s ‘buy local’ campaign.
He says: “Success comes when businesses and communities come together. Issues like parking, speaking with one voice to those who want to dig up the roads and how we can get a local loyalty card running are discussed, and things get done.”
Alison and Allison are very conscious of the current economic struggles facing small businesses. They see the group as a good way to get people to spend locally – and wisely.
Alison adds: “The relationship and trust with customers that a local shop has is really important. Anyone can read what’s on a box when a customer asks how something works, but we take pride in helping, and even saying to people if something would be a bad choice for them.”
Adds Alison: “Working together we can ride out the recession, give people a high quality local service – and they will keep coming back.”
