AS we finally ease out of lockdown, the Stourbridge News has once again launched its campaign to support local businesses.

We are launching our Love Local Business campaign to encourage people to spend their money locally as they emerge from months of restrictions and closure.

Love Local Business follows on from the successful campaign, of the same name, which we ran in the News group last summer and over Christmas.

The aim is to promote all the fantastic traders we have in our towns and urge our readers to give them their custom at this key time as the struggle to overcome the financial implications of the pandemic.

As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Stourbridge News reaches a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands including print publications, record online audiences and social media.

News group editor Stephanie Preece said: “I'm sure we are all looking forward to our favourite shops, pubs and services re-opening their doors.

"Now more than ever, it's vital that we support local businesses.

"With our support, local traders can overcome the terribly difficult period of lockdown and once again thrive.

"As part of the Love Local Business campaign, we will shine light on lots of local businesses that were emerging from the lockdown and looking to rebuild their trade.

“In the coming weeks we will be promoting these businesses in our newspaper, on our website and our social media channels,to help spread the message that they are open and highlight why they are so valuable to this community.

"Please get behind this campaign and support our local businesses."

The campaign has already won the backing of Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb.

She said.: "I think the relaunch of the Love Local Business campaign by the Stourbridge News is great and it has my full support at a critical time for our shops and traders in the town.

"I think there will be a big demand to go back into shops after so long but we must do all we can to encourage people to feel safe to make that step and then to continue to do so in the months and years to come.

"Our retailers have had a tough time, and the threat from online has accelerated, but I believe there is no substitute to going into a shop, having a chat with friends you might meet by chance, interacting with staff and even grabbing a coffee on the way.

"The Government has given grants to councils to help get the public back into our high streets and this is important too. If we do not support them, they face an uncertain future.

"I love visiting our high streets and I am often there on the weekends. I hope to see many people out and about when I next visit."

Sales director for the News group, Dale Godliman said: “I am delighted that we are running a sustained campaign outlining the importance of using local business, at what is a crucial time for so many SMEs.

“We reach a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands and, through a combination of combining our loyal print publications, record online audiences and market leading engagement via our social media channels, we are really confident that we can be the marketing partner of choice for local businesses during this crucial period.

l Any business which wants to be featured in the campaign call 01905 742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.