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Newspaper in plea to readers to ‘buy local’

A Lincolnshire newspaper has launched a campaign to encourage readers to support local businesses by spending their money in local shops.

Weekly title the Market Rasen Mail’s Buy Local campaign urges readers to spend their cash in shops close to home.

The paper features interviews with a different independent trader each week in which they speak about their business and what could be done to help in future.

The campaign also aims to get tax breaks for independent local traders to help regenerate the town’s economy which has been hit by the recession.

Editor Paul Fisher said:  “We have had a lot of people approaching us to say they want to get involved in the campaign which is about highlighting the positive things going on in the town and making our readers aware that they must support local businesses in order for them to survive.

“Local papers have a vital role to play in stimulating economic growth at a local level and this campaign aims to do just that.”

The campaign was launched with a story highlighting the number of empty shops in the town and the rising unemployment numbers and called on readers to support local businesses,

Since launching at the start of September it has received the backing of leading figures in the community including the leader of West Lindsey District Council Burt Keimach.

A business forum event is planned for December as part of the campaign, as well as a feature showing readers how all of their Christmas shopping can be done in the town.