Christmas call to shop local

BENDIGO residents are being encouraged to shop locally this Christmas to support businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Greater Bendigo has reignited their Love Your Local initiative with a seasonal social media and radio campaign, and mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said local traders needed support during the critical shopping period to bounce back.

“Shopping locally or visiting local businesses online is one of the simplest and yet effective ways to help our businesses to keep trading and retain vital jobs in our community for the future,” she said.

“You can make a real difference when you Love Your Local. If you spend $100 in a local business nearly $70 stays here in the local community.

“When people purchase goods from online shops located outside of Greater Bendigo, only $3 remains here.

“Your dollars go a lot further to help support local businesses and jobs, and you’ll be taking the stress out of Christmas shopping by buying unique goods, gift vouchers or services for family and friends.”

Owner of the Bendigo Pottery, Sally Thomson, said shoppers could find a present that represents the Bendigo region at her business.

She said supporting the pottery had a ripple effect on other local businesses through direct and indirect employment.

“We’ve got both people in retail and manufacturing, and then we’ve got the indirect spinoff because we use local electricians and suppliers for the bits and pieces of the factory,” Ms Thomson said.

“I think there’s a turnaround in people’s idea of value as purely based on price,” she said. “That’s been a gradual change over the last two years, understanding the value is that you can access product and the product was made here.”