With the festive season approaching, Rushden Town Council has launched its “Shop Local, Shop Rushden” campaign, a new initiative designed to encourage residents to support the town’s vibrant independent retailers. The campaign aims to highlight the unique products and personal service that can only be found on our local High Street.
Participating businesses, including ‘The Little Bookshop’, ‘Petals & Pots Florist’, and ‘Clarke & Sons Shoemakers’, will display a “Shop Local” sticker in their windows. The campaign will also feature a loyalty card scheme, offering shoppers a stamp for every purchase made at a participating store, with completed cards being entered into a monthly prize draw.
Susan Patel, owner of ‘The Little Bookshop’, is optimistic about the initiative. “It’s a wonderful idea,” she said. “We can’t compete with the big online retailers on price, but we can offer expert knowledge, a friendly chat, and a real sense of community. This campaign reminds people of the value of that.”
A council spokesperson added, “Our independent shops are the heart of our High Street. By choosing to spend your money locally, you are investing directly back into our community, supporting local jobs, and helping to keep Rushden a unique and wonderful place to live.”