WHILE there are many people out there who are keen to support local businesses – and a huge thank you to all of you – it's quite concerning how many others do not seem to be aware that Lydney has many shops worth visiting.

For a small town, Lydney has a good assortment of shops and if more people shopped locally there would be the incentive for more businesses to start up and offer even greater variety which would further improve the area for everyone living here.

Local shops offer a friendly, personal service that you don't get from larger chains, or the internet, and the prices are frequently no higher.

In fact, they can even be lower. A local shop is interested in you as a customer, and will be keen to make sure that you are happy with the service provided going to much more effort to ensure that you are sold exactly the right product for you.

If there are problems, a local shop will quickly put it right for you.

If you need furniture, lingerie, flowers, greetings cards or balloons, stylish clothes or some quirky gift ideas, or want to head to the gym, it's all available in Lydney, so why take the money away from the local area?

It's worth bearing in mind the old adage use it or lose it because without the support of local people, local businesses will cease to exist.

– Kathy Howell, Lydney.