Lets support our local businesses

In a time when there is apparently very little in the way of business, why would there be a need for a business article?  Well, in fact, this has been a very busy time for us.  Every time a new piece of advice or an instruction comes from the Government, people like us are busy translating it, checking it through for loopholes and potential problems and then advising clients accordingly.

If you aren’t attached to an accountant or business advisor who is keeping an eye on things for you, please feel free to look at our website where there is a link on the home page to a summary of the COVID19 Government help available.  Hopefully things will be a little bit clearer for you.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are on week six of living a shielded existence, so more than many, we have had cause to be grateful for the help of local suppliers of food and other commodities.  Not least because it took us three weeks before any of the supermarkets we had registered with could offer us a delivery slot.

I have to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Dan at Queen St Deli in Wells, who has kept us supplied (from a safe distance) with milk, eggs, veg, cheese and other occasional treats – which shall remain nameless, but Mr B, who doesn’t suffer from Weight Gain, can highly recommend the Lovington Buns – and there are, I know, many others in our corner of the world offering the same services to keep us going.

How many of us will continue to use small, local businesses when the current restrictions are over?  I certainly shall.  Not least because I now have a debt of loyalty to them for stepping up to the plate in our hour of need.  When you are faced with a supermarket giant saying, “computer says no” as you vainly try to get a delivery slot, but someone near at hand says, “let’s see what we can do”, and then sorts out the problem for you, it’s surely a no-brainer to stay loyal to that business?

Well, if this lockdown has taught me anything, it’s that we should value what we have in our own communities, and, if and where we can, remember that a few extra pounds spent locally will help our communities and our high streets to survive and thrive.

Who knows? The days of the artisan producers and retailers may be about to come around again … I can dream!

In the meantime, take care and stay well.