People encouraged to shop local across West Yorkshire to help small businesses in January
People across West Yorkshire are being encouraged to support local this January, to help struggling businesses
People are being encouraged to shop locally in West Yorkshire, whether it's inside a retail shop or a pub, to help small businesses.
It's after new figures by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures show a ""drab" December.
According to the BRC, even the Golden Quarter, typically the peak of shopping activity ahead of Christmas, provided little relief, with shopper visits down 2.5% over the period on 2023.
Total UK footfall over the year was down 2.2% on the year before.
High streets and shopping centres were hit particularly hard throughout the year as people veered towards retail parks to take advantage of free parking and the variety of larger stores, the BRC said.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: "A drab December which saw fewer shoppers in all locations capped a disappointing year for UK retail footfall.
"Shopping habits have been changing fast and customers are increasingly looking for more experiential shopping, as well as a variety of cafes, services and things to do.
"Unfortunately, investment in town centres and high streets is held back by our outdated business rates system, which penalises town and city centres.
"The Government's proposals to reform business rates may ease the burden for some retailers, but it is vital that, ultimately, no shop ends up paying more in rates than before."
Mark Casci is the Head of Policy at West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, he is now encouraging people to support local businesses in January.
He said the consequences would be dire: "We'll have high streets that are a shadow of their former self, we will have lack of options for what you're going to spend your money on what you're going to buy for birthday presents etc."