Campaign is loud and clear: let’s shop local

Organisers of the Havant Goes Greener Fair promote the event in June. L-R Sue Holt, Francesca Dudley, Jacquie Penrose, Ray Cobbett, Sarah Flamson Picture: Paul Jacobs (120365-4)

Published in the Portsmouth News on Friday 8th June 2012

Havant Goes Greener is a week-long event across the borough looking at ways people can make small changes to their lives to make a big difference to the environment.

Organisers say shopping local is one of the most important messages they want to get across.

Posters with 10 reasons to shop locally will start appearing in stores across the area over the next few days, in the run-up to the event which starts on 18th June.

Ray Cobbett, from Friends of the Earth, is one of the organisers.

He said: ‘There are so many reasons to shop locally.

‘First of all it can save a lot of time and energy.

‘For every £1,000 of turnover local shops employ more people than the bigger chains.

‘They buy many of their products locally so it’s more sustainable.

‘And more often than not it’s cheaper than using petrol and paying for parking.

‘And food travels a lot less when you buy from a local shop who has bought from a local producer.

‘It’s not a matter of sentiment, it’s hard fact.’

Some of the shops displaying the posters will also be doing special offers during the week.

Ray has worked with Jeff Crate, Havant Borough Council’s economic development officer, in putting together the list of reasons to shop locally.

Havant Goes Greener runs from 18th June with workshops, talks, walks and bike rides across the borough throughout the week.

It concludes with a family fair in Havant Park on 23rd June.