Why we should pause a few minutes and think of our where we shop...and why

A lot has been written and said recently about shopping and the shopping habits of people in and around Ottery St Mary. We all have our reasons why we buy, what we buy, and where we buy it. Price and convenience will be two of these reasons, and hopefully, quality and customer service.
One big element of the shopping debate has been the importance of buying ‘local’. The debate often seems to centre on this point, with key reason put forward being ‘use them or lose them’. But is that all there is to this debate? Here are a few more arguments to throw into the ‘buy local’ pot.

1. Every ‘local’ pound you spend, the more ‘locally’ that pound will get reinvested, keeping more wealth in the local area. A very simple example: the local butcher who employs local people and buys local meat will reinvest almost every pound you spend in this area, with people who are likely to do the same again. Any pound spend with Amazon or Tesco Direct leaves the area for good.
2. Local shops pay local taxes. Each retailer will pay (often significant) business rates, rates levied by East Devon District Council, and spent by the Council in East Devon.
3. Being able to speak to your retailer direct ensures there is always the choice you want. Can’t find what you need? Ask the people in your local shop.  Most likely they will have it the next time you pop in.
4. Local shops need to offer quality. Because if they don’t, you will tell them. Or worse, you won’t go back! Does the same apply to what you purchase online? Or in an out of town retail giant on the outskirts of Exeter?
5. Shopping local is often better for the environment – especially when the goods purchased are locally sourced. Your goods spend less time travelling to you, and you spend less travelling to the shop.
6. Shopping local saves you fuel. There is very little that you cannot buy in Ottery St Mary, and often at competitive prices. So why drive to Exeter City Centre, Marsh Barton or Heathpark? It saves you time too!
7. Local jobs are paid for with your money. And this doesn’t just help local people and the local community, it also brings and keeps expertise in this community. Having people working in Ottery St Mary who know about books, bread, meat, wine, digital TVs, and who knows what else, is an invaluable strength and asset for our community.
8. Local clubs and charities need our traders. Ottery has dozens of clubs and charities, touching the lives of most of us. These charities organise events, fund raisers, raffles and the like to raise funds, and it is usually the local shops that help make these happen. Please remember this next time when you believe you can save a few pennies by buying somewhere else.
9. It makes Ottery what it is. What would Ottery be without a baker, a butcher, a deli, a florist, a DIY/Homeware store, and (thankfully) so much more. It makes us the town we are. But only you can decide whether it stays this way!

Oh yes, and finally of course, the ‘use them or lose them’ philosophy - as much as it should never be the only reason for you buying local - that doesn’t make it any less true!