by Kay Lockett
Local businesses and the community are working together to fight the recession. When
the Southfield's Grid
Residents’ Association raised the issue of the recession adversely
affecting the local area, it led to the founding of the new Southfield's Business
Forum.
Developed from an initiative started at the beginning of the year by the Southfield's Grid Resident’s Association, who were concerned that local businesses might sleepwalk into the recession, the newly established Southfield's Business Forum provides a platform for local businesses to speak with one voice, share concerns and come together to recreate the desire for local residents to shop more locally. The Forum links local businesses and residents to support one another, particularly as local businesses battle through the recession. Supported by Southfield's MP Justine Greening and Councillors Lucy Allan and Jenny Nickels, the Forum has now been launched and is developing plans.
The Southfield's Business Forum aims to encourage the whole Southfield's community to make the most of its diverse selection of shops, restaurants and businesses on its doorstep. It also wants to hear from residents about what they want to see in terms of local shops and facilities. A new branding identity for Southfield's Village has been created, aiming to raise the profile of Southfield's as a local shopping destination, and to remind people how many valuable businesses and services are available nearby. The innovative new programme is designed to re-energise Southfield's Village and ensure several shops and businesses do not become inevitable casualties of the current recession. With a broad mix of retailers, restaurants and other small businesses, Southfield's has historically provided a wide range of services to its local residents. However, unlike some other areas, the business community have done little to promote themselves collectively and as a result are increasingly losing out to nearby larger town centres.
Some towns leave people with little choice of where to shop. It's a huge loss to communities if their local shops close down - but big supermarkets are getting so dominant that smaller shops find it hard to compete. Local shops boost the local economy, provide genuine choice and are a good environmental option. The most important thing you can do is to buy more from your local shops - choosing local products wherever possible.
Why shop at a locally owned business first? Because far more of the money spent at local businesses is reinvested in your community. This helps other local businesses, which creates greater diversity and helps the community maintain its unique appeal. Shopping local is environmentally friendly, too: it creates less traffic and pollution.
The Forum comprises 51 local businesses whose intention is to raise the profile of the village and make sure it is kept in good order. They want to ensure it is kept clean and safe and an enjoyable place to live, shop and socialise.
A loyalty card will be available in all the participating shops (the Southfield's Business Forum and Southfield's Village logo will be displayed).Other key organisations including Wandsworth Council and London Underground are also being contacted to gather as much support as possible for the future of Southfield's as a vibrant, thriving community.
Having residents and businesses working together will mean we all benefit from better local facilities.
