Now you need your local shops!

Springtime in Chesterfield!

Most of the UK has has a huge dump of snow overnight - not exactly what we were expecting for spring! We've got a good few inches here in Derbyshire - this is what our garden looks like this morning, and the snow is still falling....

The car is in a snowdrift, the roads are treacherous, and I reckon there will be a fair few people who can't get out to do their normal Saturday morning supermarket shop.

It's at times like these that local shopping comes into its own and being able to walk to a nearby store becomes invaluable.

I've just popped my wellies on and walked round the corner to grab a loaf of bread, only to discover the bakery has sold out. And I don't think I've ever seen our little local high street so busy.

The pavements were full of folk togged up in thick coats and snow boots, kids pulling sledges, and dogs tied to lampposts. I even saw one woman with a Westie that had been zipped into a tiny, four-legged snow suit, with just its little paws and its head sticking out.

Our busy high street this morning

All the shops were open, although stock was running low. Several of the shopkeepers told me it had taken them several hours to get into work, dig the snow from their entrances and open up, but at least they were reaping the benefits by doing a roaring trade. it even looked like they had cleared the pavements.

This is why looking after your local shops is so important - because at times like these we really need them. But we can't expect them to survive year-round with only a tiny bit of custom, while we all pile off to the supermarkets. They need our support all the time, and then they in their turn will go the extra mile and find ways to open up on snow days when we need them the most.