Shopping local and voting with your money (and £100 cards)

I am a big fan of ease. Of thinking about needing something, of popping it into my basket on an app on my phone, and my face ID meaning that thing is on its way to me that instant. We know the business I’m talking about right? We all do it.

But during lockdown, things were not that simple. Loo roll was in short supply… so called ‘entrepreneurs’ (I have another word for them that involves swear words), were stockpiling and selling essentials off at extortionate prices. Restaurants went to takeaway, wholesalers went retail. We all adapted, and - for a few weeks - things got a bit more local.

Here in Jersey, the government is issuing £100 vouchers in the form of prepaid cards to every occupant in the island. The idea being this will boost the local economy, inject some much needed cash into hospitality and retail. £100 is a lot of money, and it’s a lot of money to be given to everyone, but already I’m hearing people ask whether they can spend it in national high street shops. Or on DIY with a well known (UK) company. And I can’t help but feeling this rather misses the point.

The £100 voucher scheme is an opportunity for everyone to spend mindfully. I think that the word mindful gets banded about a bit too much at the moment (my reality with a new-ish puppy is that my only quiet time at home is when I go for a wee… and with two daughters, even that is usually punctuated with a scream or yell that so-and-so did something-or-other), but on this occasion, mindful is what I’m going for.

£100 will - for many - be a huge financial help. Whether it’s used to buy essentials or weekly food, I’m not going to suggest for a moment you spend it in any other way.

However, if you can think about who and why and where you are shopping, then do. Think about the small businesses that adapted to make your life easier and better during lockdown; the local restaurants that gave you a break from feeling like your home had morphed into a canteen.

Many businesses will be offering incentives to spend the £100 with them. That’s fine, and that’s up to them entirely. But also, value what people do, and what they offer. It might be that the prices they charge all year are fair for what they do, and therefore they don’t have an offer. It might be that they aren’t in sale this year because to discount now, would mean they cannot survive. Incentives are nice, but they aren’t always possible, and for many small businesses. summer is (historically) the busiest time. Just not this one.

For Harriet and Rose, 2020 has not taken the direction I thought it would! But it’s been a really humbling few months. With our family’s income unaffected, I will be giving my voucher to local charity Brighter Futures.

Can I accept the card on my website? No. I don’t think that I can. But I will be accepting payment over the phone, and I will be accepting payment in person at collection.

I won’t be offering discounts (one of my founding pledges was that you can shop with confidence knowing you won’t find something that you’ve purchased reduced the next week), but I am pledging publicly that for every penny I take on the £100 local cards, I’ll be donating 10% of it to local charities.

More importantly, I’m hoping to arrange a way for you to spend with some small local businesses in person - not just mine - as I am passionate about small business and supporting local creatives… and getting our names out there! There will also be a charity presence, so if you have 10p balance, or £20.10 balance, if you can - and choose to - you can give to a local charity with ease. Charities rely on events and donations. With events written off this year, they need your support more than ever.

What this (rather more serious than usual blog) is asking for you to do, is to think about where you spend your money. The Wedding Industry has been decimated this year - how about spending money with a local photographer for a family shoot? Local hospitality and tourism has had a season of sorts, but with three months out of the game, with lower numbers allowed (not to mention the added cleaning/staffing and associated Covid costs), they need you to spend with them. Eat somewhere you wouldn’t usually. Find a new favourite indie restaurant. Why not have a family day on the water with Seafaris? Or book a night away at a local hotel? You can pay for a surfing lesson down at St Ouen, or take some yoga classes?

And if you decide to go down the retail route, look at supporting small and local. Be it florists, clothing, jewellery, online gifts(!), or anything else… just - if you can - think about who you spend it with. By spending with them, you are helping them to survive. And that means you’re voting for the businesses that you want to stay on this brilliant little island.