Buy Local!

Hartlepool Borough Council has launched a brand new campaign to unite local businesses and beat the recession together.

Led by the business support team at Hartlepool Enterprise Centre, ‘Buy Local’ aims to maintain the town’s economic prosperity during these difficult times by encouraging businesses to come together, support one another and share ideas. It also looks to raise awareness amongst consumers and other enterprises, as to what businesses exist in Hartlepool, maintaining more spending within the town rather than elsewhere.

The Buy Local campaign will be rolled out in three phases...

Phase One – brochure launch

At the end of February, a brand new brochure was launched comprising details and special offers from 12 retail businesses based within Hartlepool Enterprise Centre. Including a florist, jeweller, beauty therapist, photographer, bistro and more, the brochure helps inform readers of some of the products and services consumers can obtain from the Enterprise Centre, and encourages them to visit and benefit from some great discounts.

The publication includes a loyalty card which customers will need to take advantage of the discounts and special offers available, valid until the end of April. With a print run of 3000 copies, the brochure will be circulated to the likes of local libraries, hairdressers and shopping outlets.

Phase Two – bring more HEC businesses on board

The next phase will be to encourage more businesses within Hartlepool Enterprise Centre to become involved in the campaign, this time with a particular focus on those offering business-to-business products and services. This may include recruitment specialists, design agencies, PR experts and financial advisors, again aspiring to overcome this difficult period together.

Phase Three – involve entire business community

The final phase looks to go beyond the limits of the Enterprise Centre and will strive to involve every company in Hartlepool in the campaign. It will bring businesses together and will encourage discussion, support, idea generation and inter-trading to build a town-wide initiative promoting business success and long-term survival, ultimately fighting off the recession.

Leading on the campaign is Hartlepool Enterprise Centre Manager, Andrea Miles and Principal Economic Development Officer for Business, Mick Emerson. Andrea says: “Many businesses have seen a sharp fall in sales since the turn of the New Year, with the local economy experiencing a direct impact. The idea is to unite Hartlepool’s enterprises, ensure they do not feel alone during these hard times and to stand strong together – this will help the success of individual businesses and the economy as a whole.”

“However, we can only help the enterprises that we know about, so Phase Three of the campaign will encourage all businesses to come forward and join the initiative.”

Mick adds: “We would also like to emphasise that it’s not just about Hartlepool Enterprise Centre, especially in the earlier phases of the campaign. If a Hartlepool resident or business comes to us requesting a specific product or service that is not available in the Centre, we will identify a local business that is able to help.”

To obtain a copy of the Buy Local brochure, or to obtain more information on the campaign, please call Hartlepool Enterprise Centre on 01429 867677.