Johnston Press has launched a bid to get more people to buy local following the closure of more than 8,000 shops in the past 12 months.
The regional publisher aims to raise public awareness about the value of independent traders, as well as the threat posed by online retailers and unhelpful government policies.
The company’s Love Your High Street campaign is being spearheaded by flagship daily the Yorkshire Post, with other titles across the group also running pieces to back the bid.
In a comment piece announcing the campaign’s launch, the Post said “tens of thousands” of jobs have been lost while “one in eight” shop units now stands empty.
The Post said: “More than 8,000 shops have closed over the last 18 months, tens of thousands of jobs have been lost and one in eight shop units now stands empty – stark facts which explain why the Yorkshire Post is spearheading a new Love Your High Street campaign being launched with its publisher Johnston Press.
“It will raise public awareness about the value of independent traders and the threat posed by online retailers and unhelpful government policies.
“While Yorkshire is fortunate to still be home to many traditional town centres which have retained their vitality with clever innovation and adept marketing, there are just as many areas where rows of boarded-up shops illustrate decline and decay.
“When well-known department stores, whose emergence jeopardised small shops, are struggling, it further emphasises why local stores can’t be taken for granted.
The editorial went on: “Just like all those post offices, banks, libraries, pubs and other amenities that have closed, independent shops will continue to be lost if they’re not used and every online order placed with the likes of Amazon – and other internet giants – compromises the future of our communities.
“Yet, public support – and appreciation – for local stores won’t suffice on its own. Simple measures by local councils, like smart parking options, can help areas to survive and thrive.”
“Now it’s up to politicians, retailers and consumers to respond in kind, and support local shops in every way possible, before they’re forced to shut for good and leave Britain all the poorer.”
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Oh, the irony….
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What hypocrites. How about keeping printing of newspapers local, keeping tele-ad departments local, accounts departments local, sub-editing local – the list goes on and on. I don’t know how JP has got the nerve to launch this campaign.
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Ah well, we all need a laugh to keep us going through the day. It’s either that or cry.
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If anything sums up the total cynicism of JP management it is this. I remember a smooth talking but useless JP executive telling local business people how keen the firm was to support local business. They applauded him. Soon afterwards he closed the town’s newspaper office.
JP used to boast “life is local”. How hollow that sounds now.
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Yes, it’s ironic, but it’s a laudable attempt by battered ad departments to generate some business. Wordsmiths should support it too.
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Voice of reason
It might be a laudable attempt to drum up some much needed ad revenue but if it is then they should say it as it is,not dressed up as them doing their bit to help the local economy.
Shop Local,Support the High Street,call it what you will, it goes under various guises around the country’s regional publishers and is purely an ad grabber,it’s not customer driven,it’s publisher driven.
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