MP urges residents to Enjoy Penwortham and help high street businesses survive

Independent beauty business owner Jen Maudsley is part of the Enjoy Penwortham campaign

The MP for South Ribble, Katherine Fletcher, is backing a campaign that aims to encourage residents in Penwortham to shop and dine locally to boost businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On a recent visit to Penwortham, Katherine met a number of business owners that have been brought together to help promote the town’s high street enterprises, including Jen Maudsley of Meraki Hair and Beauty, Paul Keighley of LARS Acupuncture and Wellbeing, and Sylvia Holmes of BonBons Coffee Shop.

Katherine said: “It was great to meet with Jen, Paul and Sylvia, chatting about their businesses and the changes they have made to make them safe for us all in these difficult times.

“These smart locals have invested their government grants to expand their spaces, and are excited about the possibilities.

MP for South Ribble, Katherine Fletcher, is backing a campaign that aims to encourage residents in Penwortham to shop and dine locally — MP Katherine Fletcher is backing the campaign to encourage residents to shop and dine locally

“With the new road giving us less traffic, Penwortham high street feels like a real family destination; to enjoy a drink, pamper yourself or pick up a little gift. Bob in and see what their hard work and enthusiasm has produced, it’s great.”

The Enjoy Penwortham initiative, dreamt-up by local resident and marketing agency boss Lee Petts, includes a one-off ‘newspaper’ that will be distributed to all 8,867 homes in the town as well as a social media and publicity campaign over the longer term.

A list of open businesses in your area can be found below

Lee said: “As we’ve seen in recent weeks with the sudden implementation of tighter Covid restrictions like the ‘rule of six’ and now local lockdown in South Ribble, there’s really no such thing as business as usual right now and there may not be until late next year.

“It’s up to us as residents to do our bit and keep our high streets alive in the meantime, and that means still getting out to safely enjoy all the independent shops, bars, cafes and restaurants they are home to.

“Only by frequenting these places and spending money with them will we help to secure their survival and ensure that Penwortham remains a vibrant place to live and work.”

Have you been supporting local businesses? Let us know in the comments below.