Ottery's Josefina Gori: Why we should all shop local

I'll give you what the government and organisations such as Shop Local UK are pointing out and some comments made by those in our town who buy locally, not only at Christmas time but all year round.

In this column, I have often celebrated the remarkable resilience of our local traders.

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Christmas in Ottery through the years (Image: Phyllis Baxter) Every single day, they navigate the storms of financial crisis, inflation, pandemic, government decisions, and even customers' moods influenced by weather and world events.

Their determination to survive and inventiveness in providing us with a good and valuable service deserve our undeniable support.

So, why should we buy locally? The government and Shop Local UK agree on the following: by shopping locally, we are supporting the local economy, reducing costs, getting fresher ingredients, protecting the environment and improving our health.

But there are two critical points that often go unnoticed: when you shop locally, you contribute to the vibrancy and sustainability of your community and you support businesses that reinvest a significant portion of their revenue into local events, schools, charities and other essential services.

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But let's hear from a variety of community members to get a comprehensive view of the benefits of local shopping.

Information is more valuable when it comes from the mouths of those who have experienced it.

The owner of a well-established local shop said: "The perception is that smaller shops are more expensive, but this isn't always the case.

"Larger stores have larger overheads that they need to cover, but every shop and circumstance is different.

"We regularly have customers in our shop commenting that X or Y is cheaper here than at B&Q, plus the time and fuel saved when driving there.

"There has never been such a choice for consumers of shops to visit online stores, so we, as do all local shopkeepers, really appreciate your custom for choosing to shop in Ottery."

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A buyer expressed the importance of balancing price and value, saying: "I recently researched an item online. Prices were typically £4 to £9, but reviews suggested poor quality and reliability.

"So I bought the product locally for £7 with the reassurance of local backup and guarantee.

"The price might have been higher than some online, but I'm happy it was a better value!"

The human factor was paramount to some. One lady said: "Local products are usually cheaper than online, with a good service thrown in for free."

Another was quick to say: "I appreciate this might not work for everyone due to mobility, time, work, etc., but I try to use local, despite it being more expensive, because I walk there, save fuel costs, and it is good for me as I meet lots of people on the way."

These personal connections made through local shopping make us feel part of a vibrant community.

And when it comes to that essential cup of coffee we all need when doing our Christmas shopping, the best answer I had was from a young mother who said to me: "I am addicted to two of our coffee shops here and their milkshakes. I will be bankrupt soon."

So, have the locals convinced you that buying local is better?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Once, I wrote an article on this subject and suggested that instead of having a Christmas shopping list and walking in a shop and seeing if they had what you were looking for, turn the exercise around, walk into the shop, have a good look around and choose from what they have, who to give it to.

It is still the most exciting way of shopping; it is unconventional, and you will be surprised by the hidden treasures you can find locally.

Have a very Happy Festive Season, everybody!

Happy local shopping!

May 2025 be a prosperous year for all in Ottery!