Boost for Old Town
It’s great, in these very tough economic times, to note some good news on the High Street. It may not seem much, but I’m pleased to see that both Nisa/Spar on Bath Street and the Co-op on Clemens Street have recently unveiled new free cash machines in Old Town.
Well positioned ATMs increase spending in independent and local businesses on the high street. This is good news for all of us. Money spent in locally owned shops is less likely to ‘leak’ out of Leamington for profit in far off corporate headquarters, but is instead re-spent on local goods and services.
The difference is considerable: research shows that £10 spent in a locally owned business ‘multiplies’ to £25 for our local economy, but only £14 when spent in a chain store. Old Town has a fantastic wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants to explore. Now visiting and supporting them has got a little bit easier. - Jonathan Chilvers, Leamington and Warwick Green Party.