Traders unite to push local shops

Traders unite to push local shops

10 July 2013

COMBER traders joined forces last week as part of a new initiative designed to encourage more people to shop local.

Around 30 traders gathered at the square on what was Independence Day in the United States to back the “shop independent campaign” designed to encourage people to support local businesses.

Comber has been fortunate to witness something of a mini revival over recent months. While 12 businesses closed over the past year, six new shops have opened over the past four months.

The town’s business community intends to build on this success and traders who attended last week’s event brought with them an item which they sell or which reflects their business to collectively illustrate the variety of choice available to people from family-run and independent businesses.

The business community in Comber hopes to encourage people away from out-of-town shopping centres and on-line shopping to sample the variety, choice and value of buying local.

Irene McBride, chairwoman of the Comber Commerce Group, explained the town has suffered over recent years due to the presence of out-of town shopping centres, people buying online and the economic downturn.

“We want to show people in Comber that we welcome their custom. We are asking them to support their local shops and keep our town centre open,” she said.

“The recent Comber Potato Festival was a huge success and brought new life and energy to the town. We would like to continue that momentum and ask local people to try us first before going elsewhere to shop.”

Councillor Deborah Girvan said Comber has not escaped the domino-affect of shops shutting down and empty premises being left to decline and decay. But she’s delighted the town is fighting back with the opening of six new businesses.

She continued: “Clearly, something exciting is happening in Comber as more small businesses have chosen the town to open a shop. Part of this rebirth can be attributed to the vibrant Comber Commerce Group which formed just over a year ago. 

“It has been working hard to bring more footfall to the town and to encourage business people to get involved in local campaigns.”