YOUR local Crediton businesses are looking forward to welcoming you, and helping you this festive season.

The expression “shop local” has never been more important, after the taxing period we have all had and are having.

Crediton has a wonderful diversity of independent shops, one of the finest in the whole of Devon.

Many of the beautiful specialist independent shops have been forced to close, while the big multiples clean up, now they need you if you are to see them next year.

By supporting your local community you will have the opportunity to find unique gifts for your family and friends, by purchasing high quality items made and sold by those who care for your whole experience, and are grateful for your custom.

Browsing the small interesting shops in the High Street, Town Square, and surrounds is a fun and festive way to get yourself in the mood for Christmas, and you will certainly spend more time shopping and chatting than queuing for a parking space.

The retailers of Crediton are a friendly group, full of cheer, and some might even become a friend, when you inevitably become a regular.

Without you using the local shops they will disappear, and the lovely community feel of our town will diminish, we will only have ourselves to blame as the roads become full of courier drivers. So why not shop local and keep Crediton town centre buzzing?