Supporting businesses, supporting you

The coronavirus is hitting businesses hard and that pressure is already being felt by our independent shops and businesses in Shipston, as well as some larger companies and industries. So what can we do to help - and how can our local traders help you?

First and foremost, please continue to shop local when you can - Totally Locally are encouraging people to add a comma followed by ‘Shipston’ when searching for something online to see if anyone locally has what you need in stock first.

Since the introduction of coronavirus social distancing measures, Facebook has been flooded with innovative new services as Shipston’s businesses find ways to stay open and support their customers. Many of the pubs and cafes in the town are now offering take-away and delivery services, and some independent food shops are now delivering to your door.

Some clothing and gift retailers in the town have started putting pictures of stock online or are using video calls to show what is available, as well as offering to wrap and post items, or deliver clothes so they can be tried on at home. Music teachers are switching to online lessons and the local schools are doing everything they can to keep children learning while they’re at home.

Mayor, Dan Scobie, said: “It’s wonderful to see such a flood of creativity in response to this crisis - and equally encouraging to see so many people respond positively to these new services. We shouldn’t underestimate the challenge social distancing presents for many of our valued local businesses and I encourage everyone to continue to support local and independent businesses wherever possible. After all, the shelves have been more fully stocked in the town recently than some of the major supermarkets.”

With the situation changing on a daily basis, rather than publishing details within the Forum, residents can find out the latest information about local delivery and other services by visiting a new public group on Facebook - search for ‘The Shipston Takeaway & Delivery Group’. A number of businesses have also shared their updated services on the Shipston Noticeboard on Facebook and the Totally Locally page.

If in doubt, give your favourite shops and businesses a call and find out what they’re doing. You may not be able to pop into town for lunch, but that same delicious lunch might be able to arrive on your doorstep.