Keep It Local

Felixstowe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which continued supporting its members as much as possible during the COVID-19 lockdown, is now calling on them to support fellow businesses in the town with a Keep it Local campaign.

The initiative is part of a national effort originally set up by two buying groups, Nemo and Office Club. It aims to encourage businesses to adhere to the same Shop Local call that residents are asked to follow, by making an effort to obtain their supplies and services, as well as any maintenance work from the many independent local traders, rather than going further afield, even if it costs a bit more.

A spokesman said that the Chamber committee was also exploring ways to enhance this Keep it Local campaign with special new discounted member-to-member deals.

“We hope to have a special page on our website in the near future to highlight all the local businesses that provide services in these various service areas to help our members find what they need easily,” he said.

“Buying from local businesses means products and the people supplying the services don’t have to travel so far and save on time and energy, so keeping it local could help the environment by limiting the use of energy and fossil fuels, as well as by supporting local enterprises.”

Felixstowe Chamber, which holds regular monthly networking functions, continued to support members and to meet via Zoom, with speakers including Felixstowe Town Mayor, Cllr Mark Jepson, Miles Vartan from Miles Vartan Consultancy, a leading AEO consultant who has project-managed accreditations for many freight forwarders, shipping lines, importers, exporters and ports, Colin Low from Kingsfleet Wealth and Corporate Training Consultant Jane Warden.

The Chamber hopes to revert back to its traditional face-to-face monthly breakfasts and evening events as soon as possible.

For further details see: keep-it-local.co.uk and www.felixstowechamber.co.uk.