SHOPPERS across the region are being urged to buy from their local and independent businesses in a pre-Christmas campaign.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says that the unprecedented pressure on small traders throughout 2020 means they desperately need a boost from their local communities in the run-up to Christmas, coming out of lockdown.

As a result, they have called on everyone to celebrate independent businesses by launching the 'Love Your Small Independent Business' campaign.

It asks local people to not only actively support their local businesses by using the hashtag #ilovesmallbusiness online, but also to share images of their actual purchases and recommendations of small shops and businesses by using the hashtag #ShopHereThisChristmas.

The campaign also calls on people to place reviews of their favourite traders online as well to persuade others to ‘shopsmall’.

Welcoming the campaign, the FSB Regional Chairman Simon Williams said: "We all have a part to play to ensure our independent businesses have a fighting chance of rescuing their curtailed Christmas sales so they can continue to be part of the local community in 2021.

"It’s not just shops, but all small businesses who need our support.

"Taxi firms, hairdressers, pubs, newsagents, your personal trainer, the dry cleaners, arts centres, craft teachers, driving instructors, cake decorators, photographers – it’s not just about shops, although independent retail is crying out for strong Christmas trading of course.

"This has been an unbelievably testing time for all our brilliant small, independent businesses..

"Many have worked tirelessly to try and stay open and provide invaluable support and service to the community in a safe and secure way, and we know being part of a vibrant community with independent businesses is important to local people.

"We therefore hope local people support this campaign and reward the loyalty their local independents have shown to communities. They are the very heartbeat of local life."

The FSB's National Chairman Mike Cherry said he felt it was imperative that everybody did their best to try and support and enthuse aboutl ocal retailers and other independent businesses providing local services in the final, frantic weeks before Christmas.