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A campaign to protect our local shopping areas in Kingston
Kingston Town Centre has long enjoyed a reputation for being
a dynamic and desirable shopping destination. Historically this impression was
gained by a strong collection of reputable and smart shops in the town centre
itself, its paved lanes and surrounding areas within the borough with
fantastic parades of shops and small high streets; independent stores with
their own loyal clientele and following.
Our local retail economy is as a result of the enterprise and energy of
generations of small, independent shopkeepers and small businesses. Shopping
parades across the borough have seen a diverse range of local shops
providing more choice than one big supermarket. These local shops importantly
have brought more to their neighbourhoods than value and quality. They also
give our localities a sense of character and a sense of community.
The findings of a Federation of Small Business report last year were that
London had lost more than 7,000 independent and family-owned shops between 2001
and 2007 alone. These lost shops include grocers, butchers, pubs and post
offices and are the glue which binds our communities together - we are losing
them fast particularly since the economic climate change in the autumn of 2008.
Accordingly to a report by the Federation of Small Businesses - Over 50 per
cent of the turnover of independent retailers goes back into the local
community, compared to just 5 per cent from supermarkets.
What can YOU do?
The easiest way of supporting our Borough’s independent shops and small
businesses is to sign our petition now. This will enable us to demonstrate
local need for supporting our small shopkeepers and businesses to the council
and bring together with one voice all those people who value our community
shops.
You can also change your shopping habits to ensure you regularly use
local shops. Why not take extra time on your weekly shop to call in to a local
independent shop and see what they have on offer?
