Shop local urges county council chief

* Support your local shops in Llangollen and across the county, says the council.

Support your local town centres is the message from Denbighshire County Council as it encourages people to shop local in the run up to Christmas and New Year.

Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for Economic Development, met a representative of the Denbigh Business Group during a recent visit to the town and highlighted the need for people to think local, shop local.

Councillor Evans said: "The run up to Christmas and New Year is usually one of the busiest times for local businesses and we need people to support them and for businesses to make sure they promote what they have on offer. 

"More and more shoppers are choosing out of towns shopping centres or online shopping, thinking they are more convenient and they will get better bargains. 

"However, we think that our town centres in Denbighshire have a lot to offer - they are unique and offer a wealth of goods and services that people want. Not only do they provide a business, but they also provide a valuable service.

"It's vitally important to get behind local businesses during the current economic climate. Many businesses now realise that they must be in a position to compete with the larger out of town businesses and it is encouraging to see businesses taking initiatives to be able to compete and we would encourage people to offer their support. 

"Towns are also arranging a number of events in the run up to Christmas and New Year, in a bid to entice people for late night shopping and a festive atmosphere."

The council, working with the main town councils across the county, is offering free parking after 3pm in its car parks until the New Year, in a bid to encourage more people to use the town centres.