Campaign calls on returning office workers to use only independents

The campaign, started by office space business Offices.co.uk, aims to encourage a shift in how we spend our money in and around our workplaces.

The Spend Local Campaign has three clear messages: challenge yourself to avoid using national chain shops for three months, only spend money in independent shops, food outlets and small businesses, and recruit three friends to do the same.

Jonathan Ratcliffe, from Offices.co.uk, said: “Our clients know as much as anyone just how hard things are at the moment, however, we are still buying coffee, lunch and supplies. This new campaign is to showcase local businesses and try and shift our spending habits into using the independent businesses we sometimes take for granted.”

Research shows that for every £1 spent in a small independent shop that 63p stayed within the local economy, compared to just 40p when spent with a chain.