People Of Richmond Borough, Your High Street Needs You

Many Richmond Borough residents find themselves frustrated – and perhaps a little sad – at the amount of local high street shops and services closing down each month. Now, everyone has an opportunity to do their bit to support their high streets by completing a three minute ‘Buy Local’ online questionnaire.

‘Buy Local’ is a campaign sponsored by The Best of Richmond, a local company which champions recommended independent businesses in the borough for the benefit of residents and businesses alike. The core element of the campaign is a survey, found at www.thebestof.co.uk/survey, into shopping habits and what Richmond Borough shoppers want from their respective high streets.

The campaign has the full support of Zac Goldsmith MP and Cllr Pamela Fleming, Richmond Borough Council’s Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development. Zac commented: “We have distinctive and wonderful independent shops and businesses in our area, but we shouldn’t take them for granted. ‘Buy Local’ reminds us that they need the support of both residents and local policy makers.

“We need to learn from other areas that have bucked the trend of empty shops and declining parades. With a new Council committed to supporting local business, combined with a loyal and active community, we can do the same.”

Nick Taimitarha, who runs The Best of Richmond, added: “High streets without a variety of shops and services lack life, vibrancy and that all-important pint of milk! But we want to know how Richmond residents feel their local stores and retailers are faring? What’s good about them, what are the problems and what needs to be done to make them more successful?”

Similar surveys are being run across of the whole of England. The results will be collated in September and the Richmond statistics will be mapped against the rest of the country.

Zac Goldsmith and Cllr Fleming have committed to take on board the comments made locally and factor them into future strategic reviews and planning decisions where possible.

For more information or to complete the survey, visit www.thebestof.co.uk/survey before the end of August.

Business owners wishing to display a Buy Local window sticker should contact The Best of Richmond via www.thebestofrichmond.co.uk or call 020 3002 4100.