Let's get behind our shops, businesses and retailers right across Harborough

Get behind our shops, businesses and retailers right across Harborough.

That’s the rallying cry from Harborough District Council as it launches a ‘Shop Local’ campaign.

The drive to pour more money into tills in Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Kibworth and Broughton Astley and beyond is being ignited as more outlets opened at the weekend after over 100 days of the coronavirus lockdown.

“With more businesses opening at the weekend, including hairdressers, restaurants, bars, cafes, leisure businesses and hotels, it is hoped more people will be returning to our high streets,” said Harborough council.

“This latest campaign will see shops given a ‘Welcome! We are open’ sticker to display in their windows.

“There will also be ‘We are open’ banners on the council’s refuse collection vehicles to ensure the message is shared daily across the district.”

The council is also teaming up with a logistics company at Magna Park, near Lutterworth, to display banners on distribution lorries to help raise the profile of local shops and businesses nationally.

The initiative will also be highlighted on social media and on electronic notice boards.

Special webinars to help local shops improve their online profile and boost sales digitally are also planned.

Cllr Phil King, the leader of Harborough council, said: “This is a pro-active campaign to help build confidence and get shoppers back into our retail centres.

“As people will have seen, we have introduced a number of measures to create a safe environment for shoppers, and this campaign aims to give businesses an added lift.”

He added: “I really hope people support their local shops and independent traders at this difficult time.

“They need customers now more than ever.”

The council has introduced a number of measures in Lutterworth and Market Harborough town centres to help create a “safe shopping environment”.

They include ‘Highstreet Helpers’ wearing high-visibility vests, public hand sanitiser stations, pedestrianised areas and street markings to show people where to queue.

“Harborough district is also not affected by the localised lockdown in Leicester and its shops remain open for business,” said the council.

Find out more about the drive and shopping locally at www.visitharborough.com/welcomeback