This year has been a challenge and now more than ever we all need to actively promote and encourage each other and spend as much locally as we can.

Many of our Enniskillen independent retailers and service providers have been on the frontline ensuring we have access to our essential everyday needs. Those retailers are central to our communities; they not only employ members of our families but also ensure that our local economies continue to prosper. It is these same local businesses which now, more than ever, need our continued support and loyalty.

There is fun and practical purpose to shopping local. So when you have the chance to choose between the local business and a big superstore, go with local option and you will see soon enough that it is going to be the right choice for you and our community’s future.

How to support the small businesses that need your help right now without risking your health?

• Businesses need cash flow right now, and the easiest way to help them out is to buy a gift card, for example the Enniskillen Gift Card – easy to use and ensures that your money is spent locally;
• If you can afford it, commit to ordering in a few meals a week from your favourite restaurant/bar;
• Shop local online, check HERE;
• Give a shout-out to your favourite local businesses by leaving them a review on Google, or Facebook. While you are at it, follow all your favourite businesses online and share their social media posts.

Enniskillen BID believes we can make this work if we work together!

Look out for #TogetherWeAreStronger message, share it on your social media so that you can network and get a wider net, promote it to your customers, tell your friends, but ultimately remember every time you shop, aim to #shoplocal and support business in your area.

#TogetherWeAreStronger is a campaign launched by Fermanagh Herald and it is aimed at boosting community awareness of the need to support our local businesses, towns and villages from Belleek to Newtownbutler and Tempo to Kesh. To read more about #TogetherWeAreStronger campaign go to Fermanagh Herald.