Bolton Labour Councillors and party members, observing social distancing rules and the wearing of masks,  have been visiting local shops across the borough in order to promote a new campaign know as ‘Shop Local’. As a result, local shops are now displaying the Shop Local poster in their windows. The Party has designated Saturday 29^th August as ‘Shop Local Saturday’ but have pledged to keep the campaign going throughout the rest of the year.

Labour Group Leader, Cllr Nick Peel said “we discussed how the pandemic has affected our local high streets and corner shops, and decided that we wanted to help out in any way that we could, and so came up with the Shop Local idea. It’s all about asking local people not to forget their local shops, that are part of their community and to encourage them and others to use them during these difficult times.”

With the easing of lockdown measures and reopening of many small businesses, owners have many concerns from how their businesses will survive under the new distancing requirements to the safety of their customers. Bolton Labour are conscious of these issues and want to support small business owners in Bolton and the wider area. Members are talking to shop owners and staff about their experiences and are extending an offer to partake in an online meeting with other people in a similar situation.

Cllr Peel explained, “in addition to this campaign, we are inviting interested shop owners to join us in a round table ‘Zoom’ meeting with Shadow Labour Ministers to discuss their concerns about lockdown and how they feel about the future of their business. Labour wants to hear directly from people about what we can do to help.”

Deputy Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman added “ The response from local business owners has been fantastic; they want to display the poster and are pleased that we have started this campaign. The Council is concentrating on Bolton town centre, and we understand that, but we are saying ‘don’t forget about all of the smaller shops out there’.

The campaign , which has been running since the 14^th August, will be promoted via social media.