Help our high street…
To all our blog readers, Facebook and social media scrollers….
Lately, small independent businesses in Garstang have received feedback suggesting we're too pricey, not open enough, and lack variety. As a newcomer to the Garstang business scene, I'm perplexed by the lack of community support for our vibrant high street. We're fortunate to boast an independent retail landscape without the presence of major chains. Our establishments proudly source from local producers, bolster area farmers, and provide jobs for locals.
While it's true that foot traffic isn't what it used to be, we grapple with escalating expenses like VAT, insurance, wages, utilities, and the current cost of living surge. Despite these challenges, there's much to celebrate about our high street, and it's crucial for us as a community to rally behind it.
Sure, it might be convenient to grab flowers, sandwiches, cards, veggies, milk, and gifts from larger retailers or online platforms like Amazon, but this convenience often comes with a hefty price tag. We offer an impressive array of products right here on our high street, along with the added convenience of local milk delivery.
With 83 independent businesses closing each day in the UK, amounting to around 30,000 a year, it's evident that our local support matters more than ever. If a bustling high street is what we desire, then it's imperative to back it with our purchasing power.
Please don’t forget, your 9-5 isn’t 7 days a week. Running a business isn’t 9-5, 5 days a week. It’s 24/7 7 days a week. Most independent business owners are short staffed, doing their own books, shopping, ordering, cleaning, social media and HR … the list never ends. Opening 11-3 isn’t opening for 5 hours, it’s a full day. We need to go in prep, set up and then close down after it’s a full day to even open for a couple of hours. If our shops aren’t open we most likely aren’t sat with our feet up, we are most likely doing book work, VAT returns, PAYE, or our buying stock & supplies…
We deserve a day off too.
To put in perspective the difference of cost this is the average price of a coffee in Garstang compared to costa and Starbucks.
COSTA
Cappuccino £4.25
Latte £4.25
Flatwhite £4
Americano £3.70
STARBUCKS
Cappuccino £4.55
Latte £4.55
Flatwhite £4.25
Americano £4
GARSTANG'S AVERAGE PRICE
Cappuccino £3.20
Latte £3.50
Flatwhite £3.20
Americano £3
To each and every person who has stepped into my shop over the past six months, thank you. Your support means the world to me.
Let's continue to champion our Garstang high street, nurturing a community that values and sustains its local businesses.
#shoplocal