Local business for local people
Photo by Isobel Turner
The variety of local businesses in East Sussex is one of the widest of any county. From village to village, many independent shops are still thriving, despite the increase in consumer inclination to shop online, often on large international retailers such as Amazon.
These shops showcase unique goods and services that allow for a level of personality which simply is not found in major, mainstream shopping chains.
Despite this flourishing local culture present in our area, there is still an attitude among a number of locals that smaller businesses like these, such as farm shops and cafes or homemade gift shops, are unnecessarily expensive. Some people hold the opinion that to allow shoppers to save money, the businesses should be replaced with larger, more familiar services - such as a a small family-run restaurant exchanged for a McDonald’s, or a Primark in instead of a non-profit second hand clothes store.
While local businesses can often be slightly more expensive than the products of national or global brands, they serve as a monumental asset to local communities and have benefits in an abundance of ways.
For example, studies have proven that independent local businesses improve the economy of the local area they reside in, and significantly more money stays in the community instead of being handed back to already mega-rich major corporations. This is due to the tendency of local businesses to buy from suppliers which also reside locally; as a result, money is reinvested in local services and more jobs are created.
Having locally-owned businesses naturally means having owners with an authentic passion and interest in helping and furthering the community, as they are part of it themselves - this level of personal investment cannot be paralleled on any level by a major corporation.
While of course there would be jobs available in a major retail store or food chain, there is often less generous pay. Business owners would likely be less invested in the workers and more invested in the service they provide.
Working for a local business in a smaller environment, however, likely means a close and friendly relationship with bosses, more flexible hours and a more enjoyable experience when working. This is reflected in the customer service of local businesses; it is very easy to address a local company with a complaint as they are focused on their one business, instead of a national chain dealing with thousands of complaints per day.
We should aim to fully support and appreciate our local businesses: they help to add a level of flavour and colour to the community that large corporations simply cannot. Go out today and purchase an item from a locally-owned store – you’ll be doing your community good, and you definitely won’t regret it.
Abs Epstein, Year 12
These shops showcase unique goods and services that allow for a level of personality which simply is not found in major, mainstream shopping chains.
Despite this flourishing local culture present in our area, there is still an attitude among a number of locals that smaller businesses like these, such as farm shops and cafes or homemade gift shops, are unnecessarily expensive. Some people hold the opinion that to allow shoppers to save money, the businesses should be replaced with larger, more familiar services - such as a a small family-run restaurant exchanged for a McDonald’s, or a Primark in instead of a non-profit second hand clothes store.
While local businesses can often be slightly more expensive than the products of national or global brands, they serve as a monumental asset to local communities and have benefits in an abundance of ways.
For example, studies have proven that independent local businesses improve the economy of the local area they reside in, and significantly more money stays in the community instead of being handed back to already mega-rich major corporations. This is due to the tendency of local businesses to buy from suppliers which also reside locally; as a result, money is reinvested in local services and more jobs are created.
Having locally-owned businesses naturally means having owners with an authentic passion and interest in helping and furthering the community, as they are part of it themselves - this level of personal investment cannot be paralleled on any level by a major corporation.
While of course there would be jobs available in a major retail store or food chain, there is often less generous pay. Business owners would likely be less invested in the workers and more invested in the service they provide.
Working for a local business in a smaller environment, however, likely means a close and friendly relationship with bosses, more flexible hours and a more enjoyable experience when working. This is reflected in the customer service of local businesses; it is very easy to address a local company with a complaint as they are focused on their one business, instead of a national chain dealing with thousands of complaints per day.
We should aim to fully support and appreciate our local businesses: they help to add a level of flavour and colour to the community that large corporations simply cannot. Go out today and purchase an item from a locally-owned store – you’ll be doing your community good, and you definitely won’t regret it.
Abs Epstein, Year 12
