The Totally Locally message is all about how shopping local makes a huge difference to your town and this message seems to be paying off.

According to a new study, almost half of Brits (42%) have vowed to shop more at small or independent businesses this Christmas compared to previous years.

The main motivating factor for people to 'shop more local' seems to be a specific effort to support independent companies (12%), while 9% think it will save them money, and 8% say they're doing so for better quality.

This is good news for groups like Totally Locally Bridport, whose Magic Tenner campaign will continue into the New Year with a special shopping event that will create opportunities for local shoppers and focus on celebrating the wealth and range of Bridport businesses. 

The 'Magic Tenner' campaign is part of the national Totally Locally movement – the idea being that if you spend £10 in a shop that sells goods from local producers, the amount of money that goes back into the local economy could be more than £50! 

The campaign helps businesses show just how many local suppliers they have with simple posters, banners and messages and encourages all local, independent businesses to get involved – whether they are on the high street or not. 

More details on the shopping event will be announced soon, but in the meantime, the Totally Locally Christmas manifesto has a host of good ideas on how to support your local high street businesses;

• Ask your butcher how to cook your roast – then ask for meat from a local farm
• Buy veg grown within walking distance
• Pick up your tipples from your local wine merchant
• Visit your high street baker
• Stop, chat, smile, repeat
• Grab a brew & cake from an independent cafe
• Buy gifts made by people in your area and from small shops. Feel good.
• Pop to the deli for those nice bits
• If youʼre buying online, type in what you want, followed by your town name. Then you can see if you can buy it from a local business!
• Turn into your local bookshop – ask what they'd recommend
• Discover an artist or maker from your town
• Check out your local market – enjoy the atmosphere
• Round off with a meal at a family run pub or restaurant
• But don't forget… your independent shops, local makers, service providers and small local businesses are forever not just for Christmas. You can use them all year round.

For further information visit www.totallylocally.org email [email protected] NOTES TO EDITORS