SHOPPERS in Bridgwater are being urged to support their community and spend their well-earned money locally as part of a national campaign.

The Independents’ Day campaign, hosted nationally on Friday, July 4, promotes and celebrates independent businesses that have to compete with huge competitors on a daily basis.

The Bridgwater Town Team, which is made up of representatives from Bridgwater Town Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Angel Place Shopping Centre, is backing the scheme and encouraging shoppers to buy something from ‘local’ retailers.

Reports from Sedgemoor District Council state that for every £1 you spend with an independent business, around 50p-70p circulates back into your local economy, which will help boost the economy in towns like Bridgwater, maintaining a steady rate of business and income.

Shopping online or at ‘out-of-town’ stores sees only 5p from every £1 you spend go back into your region’s economy.

Thousands of businesses in more than 150 locations throughout the UK got involved in Independents’ Day last year, which garnered high profile support from celebrity business guru Theo Paphitis as well as Government backing from Skills Minister Matthew Hancock and the Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna.