Christmas shopping starts in earnest this weekend and residents are being urged to back local retailers on what is 'Small Business Saturday'.

To encourage everyone to support their local business community, Richmond Council is continuing the #RichmondShopsLocal campaign.

You can take a virtual tour of your local high street to see what's on offer to you and filter through independent shops by ward at this link –

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0YaaqkynPtehz8oIUS3lylC7ArEWIFLk

Alternatively, have a look at Visit Richmond https://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/local/shop-local - for shopping highlights in all of the town centres. Residents who subscribe to the Council's Richmond Card have access to deals and discounts in high streets across the borough.

Cllr Phil Giesler, Business and Growth Lead Member, said: "We know that people will be carefully considering how and where they spend their money this season.

"By shopping locally, you are not only playing a key role in helping to maintain a strong jobs market for our local communities, but also helping our business owners to survive the difficult times.

"In Richmond upon Thames, we are fortunate to have a diverse and unique offering of local independent shops on our doorstep.

"These businesses and the amazing contribution of the people who run them help to give each area of our borough a sense of place and community, with its own strong identity.

"There are some incredible stories and people behind our borough's local businesses, who help to create a personalised and enjoyable shopping experience for everyone who walks through their doors.

"When you buy from business owners you trust, you know that you're going away with quality, often one-of-a-kind products and services.

"Spending money locally and spending time getting to know your local businesses will ensure we maintain the strong communities characteristic of Richmond upon Thames and remain resilient as a borough during on-going uncertainties."

The Council stressed that shopping locally helps shape and brings many benefits, such as building relationships within the community and helping support the local economy and local jobs, while creating a more vibrant and unified neighbourhood.

It not only helps local businesses to survive, but succeed, and is an investment in the local area. Thriving businesses in your area will find ways to give back, such as through sponsorships, local events and acting as a support system for the most vulnerable in our community, which we have seen happen on an overwhelming scale in recent years.

Much of what you'll find in shops across the borough is sourced and crafted locally. There are many artisans and entrepreneurs in across the area who rely on local business to keep going and this can extend online.

Many local businesses have websites; simple changes in online shopping habits can make all the difference to the shops on your high street. You can also use Online High Street https://www.onlinehighstreet.uk/ - to search for online shopping options in your area.