Shoppers urged to buy local (From Witney Gazette)

Shoppers urged to buy local

SHOPPERS are being told that local independent shops are for life and not just for Christmas.

Independent: Baker Mike Mitchell

In the build-up to Christmas, many people used their local stores to buy fresh veg and meat in preparation for the festive season.

In Cowley Road, Oxford, queues stretched into the street from one butcher's shop as people waited to get their turkeys.

But independent traders fear shoppers will quickly return to the supermarket aisles in search of cheaper goods.

Michael Feller, who owns a family-run butcher shop in Oxford's Covered Market, said: "Food brings people together at Christmas.

"But if people don't shop at the small independent stores throughout the year, they will come back the following Christmas to find we are not here."

'If people don't shop at the small independent stores throughout the year, they will come back the following Christmas to find we are not here.'

Butcher Michael Feller

Greengrocers McCarthy Bros has a rent review coming up in March which could put financial pressure on the Covered Market shop.

Owner Mick McCarthy said he hoped people would remember their local shops throughout the year.

He said: "Because of parking limits around the city, people tend to avoid the hassle of shopping at the local shop or market regularly.

"People should be able to drive to the greengrocers and the butcher, maybe stop for a coffee, and then go and collect their car."

Abingdon baker Mike Mitchell said that although there was a high demand for Christmas cakes and mince pies at his Cottage Bakery, he had to look at other ways of appealing to people during the rest of the year.

He is encouraging people to start buying a family cake at the weekends or fresh bread regularly from the local baker instead of the supermarket.

He said: "Without the independent shops like ours, we will all become clone towns with no identity.

"It's got so bad already that it's not worth travelling to other towns or cities for variety because they are all the same.

"Anyone can work in a supermarket, but to be an independent trader, you need experience and passion."