The importance of shopping locally

Where we each choose to shop this season could very well determine the future of our local villages and towns.

Our local High Streets are filled with unique gift ideas, convenient amenities, and a more personal shopping experience.

Bakers and butchers sourcing locally and boutiques upcycling second-hand products also have a lower carbon footprint, with less damage to the environment.

Fledgling businesses are full of ideas and new technologies to truly inspire the next generation and contribute to building the future of our society.

Whilst it’s all too easy to shop online these days, do keep in mind that your local businesses will need you as soon as they are able to open again.

Visit many of your favourite high street chains at The Wellington Centre in Aldershot, including Trespass and JD Sports, Clintons, WH Smith, Argos and Boots. If you are looking for something a little different, perhaps try the new Enchanted Emporium gift shop in Ash Vale.

Farnborough’s shopping centre offers a broad contrast from popular commercial chains to charity shops. Grab a Starbucks on your way through The Meads centre, which features fashion with New Look and Trespass, Beauty Case with jewellery and accessories, health and beauty shop Bumbles and Cex for DVDs, music, games, and devices, as well as much more.

Hart Shopping Centre is the main shopping attraction in Fleet, with great stores including Waitrose, Boots, Robert Dyas and fashion shops such as New Look and Dorothy Perkins. Salamandar Gifts offers an independent boutique with a variety of gifts giving that bit of added sparkle. Whilst on the High Street you’ll find some great independent stores, including Sugarplum and Serendipity – if you take a stroll down the street, you’re sure to find something new. If you’re looking for toys, do try the Toy Arena by Mcdonalds.

The rural Hartley Wintney village centre enjoys some superb independent traders, with an excellent butchers and traditional bakers, an organic food shop, for gifts, fashion and homeware there’s Cashmere Goose, and well regarded second hand and antique shops to name just a few.

In Yateley, Yateley Jewellers could be the perfect place to find something this Christmas, whilst you can purchase fresh flowers from the florist, or visit local retailers such as Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Boots or Co-op to meet your everyday needs.

The semi-rural village of Hook offers a variety of great independent shops. The Award-winning Just Love Studio offers gifts created by local artists and designers, including handbags, scarves, and costume jewellery, perfect for a unique gift. Newlyns Farm Shop presents the perfect opportunity to purchase local products, with a great variety of fresh food including a delicatessen, groceries, fish, cheese, butchers, and even a gift barn.

If you can shop local this Christmas, please consider doing so. We are incredibly fortunate to have some great independent retailers and long-standing traders locally, let’s support them whilst finding something unique to gift this year.