Shop Local campaign kicks off to support local businesses in Wirral

A major campaign to help boost Wirral’s high streets and local businesses is now underway.

The Shop Local campaign involves a high-profile period of promotion of the borough’s high streets and the many different types of shops and businesses that operate close to residents’ doorsteps.

The goal is also to remind people how much local businesses and shops are often at the heart of the community, many offering a warm welcome and a huge range of goods and services, as well as how important local businesses are to the borough’s economy, including providing local jobs.

Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Cllr Tony Jones, said:

“This campaign is about celebrating our local shopping and high streets, as well encouraging people to Shop Local.

“Businesses up and down the country have had a tough time in recent years, with the rise of online shopping, out of town developments and of course the impact of the pandemic. Yet throughout this so many of our local businesses have kept on going, supporting our communities and helping sustain Wirral’s economy.

“Shopping local means supporting these businesses, often run by family and friends and the people of our own communities, and doing this has benefits for the rest of us too, from ensuring we keep these businesses on our doorstep when needed, to getting us out for a walk or bike ride to the local shop instead of jumping in the car.”

The Shop Local campaign will feature stories of businesses and business owners, many of whom have provided an amazing service, or gone above and beyond in helping people.

There will also be free packs for businesses to show they are supporting the campaign, as well as radio advertising and additional adverts in local media and buses. Businesses can find out more about how to get involved here.

This campaign is funded through the Liverpool City Region’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation, managed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

It ties in with wider work the council is doing with the Youth Markets, the first of which was held in 2023 to support young entrepreneurs as part of broader efforts to stimulate the local economy.