Support independent businesses who take an interest in community (From Gazette Series)

Support independent businesses who take an interest in community

I AM writing to you as a follow-on from your comment (Gazette, March 10) and as a keen supporter of the Shop Local campaign (Gazette, March 31). I completely endorse your appeal for people to support local shopkeepers and businesses and felt that I could add another dimension to that appeal.

During the last ten weeks or so, I have been seeking the support of local traders and businesses for the impending Spring Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, being produced by Dursley Operatic and Dramatic Society (DODS). As most of your readers will know, the DODS is a major part of our local community and its membership ranges across the whole spectrum of that community, regardless of age or gender.

As in most amateur theatre groups, money is always tight and a key part of the funding for the Spring Musical is the advertising provided in the show programme by local shops and businesses. And aren't they magnificent! Despite the problems and tough trading conditions being experienced in Cam High Street, Parsonage Street, Silver Street and Long Street, those businesses are always, without exception, prepared to support our show programme financially.

The point here is that in addition to providing first class products, produce and services, our local businesses and traders are part of our community and are prepared to play their part in supporting wider community activities.

In contrast, having written in detail to our Big Three neighbours ( who shall remain nameless) and having made a series of follow-up telephone calls, I am still awaiting the courtesy of a reply from any of them!

Like yourselves, I urge everyone out there to support the Shop Local campaign whenever they can. Our local shops and businesses care about and are an integral and valuable part of our local community and we can ill afford to lose any single one of them.

Andy Cheshire Clingre Down Stinchcombe