Date: 31/01/2008
Shopping locally doesn't automatically lead to a lack of choice - in some cases it can mean opening up even more options.
Anyone planning a wedding has access to two bridal wear shops in Glossop - Avec Amour Bridal on High Street West and Wedding Belles on Henry Street - and both businesses feel they complement, rather than compete, with each other.
"We both sell different lines, which is good, because it gives customers more scope," said Amanda Whipday, joint owner of Avec Amour Bridal with business partner Helen Ray. "Our view is that people are more likely to come to Glossop for their bridal needs if they know they are two shops in the town."
Added Joyce Phillips of Wedding Belles: "I don't think of it as competition, I see it as bringing more people into the town, and believe that there is enough business to go round."
Both businesses are involved in High Peak Borough Council's current 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign, which aims to encourage more consumers to support local businesses for a range of economic, social and environmental reasons.
As well as offering more options for bridal wear, men's suit hire, bridesmaids' dresses and accessories themselves, they also encourage brides to use other local businesses such as florists, hairdressers, beauty salons, photographers, lingerie shops and car hire companies as they prepare for their big day.
"Helen and I have become more aware of the need to support local shops since we launched our business in October 2006," said Amanda, who, like Helen, combines her business career with bringing up a young family.
"We always use local shops whenever we can, and make customers aware of other local services they can use when planning their wedding. And whenever we have an open day, we use local suppliers for the things we need, such as food and drink.
"As well as encouraging people to stay local to do their shopping, we also need to bring more people in, because it is a lovely town with so much going for it. If they don't, there will be more empty shops around and people will be forced to go elsewhere."
Added Joyce, who took over at the helm of Wedding Belles four years ago: "I think it is very important to support local suppliers. If another business has a good reputation and I have personal knowledge of the quality of the service they give, I have no hesitation in recommending them to customers.
"Local businesses give our towns and villages a sense of community, and help to keep those communities alive. They aren't just places where people come to shop, they also socialise and pass the time of day. Everyone loves a good chat. And if people don't use them, they will lose them."
All three women agree that where their businesses score is by offering personal, individually-tailored attention to each client.
"The needs of each customer definitely come top of our list of priorities. They are at the centre of everything we do," said Amanda. "We are also pretty flexible, in that if someone can't make it to the shop during our normal opening times, we will arrange to see them at a time that suits their lifestyle."
Added Joyce: "Customers are the most important aspect of my work. I think people expect and enjoy a high standard of service, so I try to make the experience fun as well. We have late night opening on Thursdays for anyone who can't visit during the day, and do any alterations needed myself to add the personal touch."
Throughout the 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign in the Glossopdale, customers can collect a sticker each time they buy something in a participating shop and stick it on a 'passport'.
Passports are available from shops taking part in the campaign, all High Peak Borough Council offices or in the current, Winter issue of the Council's Connect magazine. When one of the sections on the passport is full, it can be entered into a monthly prize draw if handed in at Glossop Municipal Buildings, Buxton, Chapel, New Mills and Whaley Bridge Town Halls, or posted to High Peak Borough Council, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0QJ. Monthly prize draws will take place from now until March 2008..
Further information about the campaign, including tool kits full of marketing and promotional ideas and ways to encourage people to spend in local shops, are available from Sarah Porru, Glossop Vision programme officer, on 0845 129 7777.