CHRISTMAS shoppers in Wrexham and Flintshire have been urged to support their local traders and high streets instead of turning to the internet this festive season.

Among others, the call came from Ruth Rees, of Martin Rees Jewellers in Wrexham city centre.

The former chair of Wrexham Business Group CIC said: "If you shop with a small business, and not a big faceless corporation, they spend money locally as well.

"That also helps them to put food in their families' mouths and buy them Christmas presents.

"It keeps money in circulation locally."

Ruth added she is excited for the festive season in the city because there are lots of interesting things for people to experience this year - including markets and new businesses which have opened up.

The Leader: Ruth ReesRuth Rees (Image: Ruth Rees)

Anne Aukland, of Yarn O'clock in Mold town centre, told the Leader: "We understand why people aren't necessarily out spending as much, but if they don't support local businesses, one day they'll turn around and they won't be there.

"With small businesses like mine, it could get to the point where it's not viable to continue - at the moment things are still going ok for me, but like everyone in Mold we need a bit more footfall through the town.

"Shopping on the high street is a more personal experience - you can speak to the person in the shop and get personal advice, which you don't get online.

"You're supporting a small business as you would want to be supported in your working life and it's much better for your mental health to come out and have a walk and talk to local people."

Supporting local producers

Claire Wright, of Toast Cafe and Deli in Charles Street, Wrexham, said shopping on the high street not only supports small businesses, but local producers whose produce they stock.

She said: "We are a Welsh-sourced cafe and deli, so we try and use as much Welsh produce as we can - and we try to buy from a lot of North East Wales producers, so local people benefit.

"I think keeping business in the city centre really helps - what goes around comes around.

"By shopping here, you're helping local businesses to thrive.

"We have a good business community in Wrexham and we all try and help each other.

"And with all of the tourism that's coming into the city now, it's important we have these really good products on offer."

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The Leader: Caroline JohnsonCaroline Johnson (Image: UGC)

Caroline Johnson, of The Book Shop in Mold added: "Obviously by coming in, people get a personal service and recommendations.

"We're lucky in Mold because we have so many fabulous independent shops.

"Obviously people do refer to the internet but we have also been able to adapt as well - with our own website.

"Lockdown was a sharp learning curve for us, because we had to develop a transactional website quickly, but I am very proud my staff met the challenge.

"We were also very lucky because our customers were very supportive - and they continue to be very loyal.

"A lot of our business is browsing and impulse buying, so having people coming into the shop is very important to us.

"This is a smashing town and we have so much diversity here."

"Use it or lose it"

Helen Holbrook-Harris, of Firefly Shiny Shop in Wrexham's Central Arcade, said: "I'm sure I am not on my own in saying this, but it's a case of use it or lose it.

"All too often you see comments on Facebook from people saying 'Wrexham has nothing' or 'Wrexham is dying'.

"But until people start walking down the streets, a lot of them don't know what Wrexham actually has to offer.

"It's not what it used to be, and every town and city is struggling, but given the climate I think Wrexham's doing really well.

"We have a lot of little independent businesses which are really worth a visit.

"The other thing is that by shopping on the high street, you can browse and feel and touch. You can't do that online.

"How often are people disappointed by something that arrives on their doorstep and looks nothing like what they thought they were getting?"