BY GREG DAVIES

EVERY year it seems that Christmas rolls around quicker than it did the year before and once again we are just days away from the big day.

Which brings us to thinking about our shopping list, who we need to buy for, how much to spend, and can we think of anything more exciting or original than socks or hankies? 

There’s another thing to think about this year while wondering if Nan has used all the bath soaps and perfumes she got last year, and that is that it is important to shop local.

Whilst there are many great positives in running your own business, being in small business can be a tough gig at times.  The hours are often horrendous and there’s not much to fall back on for income during quiet times.

Many of our local small businesses have taken a hit over the last few years from online traders taking a chunk of the market share.  Online traders can get around an array of costs, such as shop rent and employing staff.  

It is more important than ever to support our local small businesses by buying locally. 

Penrith, St Marys and the surrounding suburbs offer so many great place to shop; it is nice to get some fresh air, bump in to people you know, and the small business owners are friendly and happy to help.

By shopping locally you are doing your bit to ensure our local area maintains a large variety of shops offering goods, and also helps stimulate local employment.  

Nobody wants a ghost town of closed shops with everyone having to drive or catch public transport to work in other areas that are thriving because there’s little local employment – but that’s the picture that any region faces if their local community doesn’t get behind them and support them.

I could give a thousand examples of how the Nepean community is one of the best in the nation when it comes to supporting others, so let’s get behind our small businesses more than ever this year and keep our town thriving.

Shop local