Businesses welcome council's 'fantastic' Shop Local scheme

Wolverhampton Council has drawn up a list of more than 160 stores for people to visit amid difficult trading times, on a list called Shop Local.

The local authority says £780,000 could be added to the city's economy if every working Wolverhampton adult pledged to spend an extra £5 locally each work, rather than with major online retailer.

If that was done every week up until Christmas, this could generate £4million and keep hundreds of people in employment.

Among the businesses that are taking part are The Framers Gallery, Zuri Coffee and Wulfrun Wool and Crafts.

The Framers Gallery's shop, on Worcester Street, is currently closed but the firm is offering customers a click-and-collect service during the second lockdown.

Its manager, Wayne Haughton, said: "We just need to get people in the city to spend money. If there is anything that we can do to get people into the city to spend money, it would be a bonus.

"We are quite specialised, people know we are there. Anything that promotes shopping in Wolverhampton.

He added: "The town is quite rundown. There is too many empty shops. There are no big shops left. Beatties is doing nothing. There is Wilko's and B&M. That is not a shopping experience. They need to get big shops back into town that will attract people.

"I feel like they [the council] should give a couple of hours parking for free like Merry Hill shopping centre and Bentley Bridge. I feel that is one complete obstacle that stops people coming into Wolverhampton city centre."

Zuri Coffee, on Lichfield Street, has been operating a takeaway service amid the second lockdown between 11.30am and 2.30pm. But Sham Sharma, who runs the business, says trade has been very quiet.

That is why he has welcomed the Shop Local initiative.

He said: "This is very important. It actually advertises local businesses within local communities.

"It allows independent businesses to go on there and advertise their products which is quite important. In order for them to exist, they need some help from the council, and the council in their wisdom have come up with this plan, which is quite good."

Wulfrun Wool and Crafts, which is based on Cleveland Street, has continued operating a click-and-collect service amid the second lockdown.

Tracey Spilsbury, co-owner of the business, said: "I think it is absolutely fantastic that they are doing something for free as well. Hopefully, if they can do enough advertisement, we can get people to come back to the high street. In my personal experience, I think we are going to lose a lot of people to the lockdown going to bigger stores and branches."

For more information, visit shop-wolverhampton.com.