Take up the £10 Challenge & Support Local Businesses!

Wrexham shoppers are being encouraged to make a few small changes to their shopping habits and aim to take up the ‘£10 Challenge’.

The challenge, which encourages shoppers to support local and independent businesses and re-discover what gems Wrexham has to have.

It is thought that the ‘simple concept’, which is being pushed by several members of the Town Centre Forum, can make a big difference to local businesses and the footfall in the town centre.

Andrew Atkinson, who chairs the Town Centre Steering Group said: “We are not asking people to abandon the supermarkets or forget about the convenience of shopping online, we’re just asking people to see if they can transfer £10 a week of their supermarket / online shopping budget to the town centre or their local community.

“It might be meat from the butcher, fruit and veg from Covent Garden, gifts, presents, jewellery, anything really. If we all make a few little changes it can make a big difference to the town.”

The organisers of the challenge believe from their own experiences that there is great quality local produce and bargains to be had in the town centre with great customer service too.

Matt McHale, who owns La Baguette and is a Wrexham Tourism Ambassador said he was keen to promote what the area has to offer.

He said: “We want people to also enjoy the experience and build on our growing community spirit in the town. I love the great customer service I get in local shops but I’m also keen to highlight the fact that if you’re busy many of the food businesses provide home delivery which can be incredibly convenient.”

The idea for the challenge has stemmed from the Wrexham Street Festival – with the next event due to take place in the town centre on Saturday 28 January.

Mr Atkinson said: “When we’re organising the festivals we see how much people love the interaction with the traders and the great customer service and banter and we want people to experience that right across the town.

“It’s about re-discovering some of our great shops and what they offer, it’s the little things like finding out that the butcher or greengrocer will deliver to your door so you don’t even have to carry big bags around the town.”

He added: “We’ve had some tough times in the town but the independent scene is certainly having a revival, especially with food businesses. I can’t remember the last time there were so many places to eat in and around town. There are still many challenges but it’s an exciting time for the town and if we can all play our own small part it will continue to improve.”