Live Local, Shop Local

Croydon's district shops are getting a boost from a new initiative to encourage residents to 'Live Local, Shop Local'.

Town Centre Managers are running a campaign to encourage residents to support their local neighbourhood shops.

"The message we want to send is that there are hundreds of local shops which are well worth supporting," said Sharon Baldwin, district centre development manager.

From Coulsdon to South Norwood, Purley to New Addington, Thornton Heath to Crystal Palace and Norbury to South End, hundreds of small businesses are within walking distance of people?s homes ? and tough trading conditions mean there are some real bargains to be had.

"The variety of our high streets is fantastic," said Sharon. "It's tough for everyone at the moment, but our local businesses know what their customers want and they can react to that and really deliver."

The 'Live Local, Shop Local' message is backed by a network of district centre managers whose job it is to nurture existing businesses, encourage newcomers, and ensure that every high street and secondary shopping street has a good balance and healthy mix of shops.

The 'Live Local, Shop Local' campaign forms part of part of the Croydon's Economic Recovery Plan which aims to help local people and businesses survive the recession. The plan was drawn up earlier this year by Croydon Council and Croydon Business in partnership with a range of key agencies, including South London Business, Croydon College, JobCentre Plus, Croydon Enterprise, Envibe, Safer Croydon, Croydon  Business Venture, Business Link, and Croydon Voluntary Action.  The plan is currently being led by the new Croydon Economic Development Company.  Full details of the plan can be found at croydoncrunch.org.