Opolka employee to attend the bssa Summer School at Keble College, Oxford

The bursary covers attendance, including accommodation and all course materials. Louise, shortlisted down to 30 from in excess of 300 applicants, for one of the 10 available places was ultimately successful.

The bursary awarded by The Retail Trust, has made it possible for independent retailers to benefit from this intensive training, at a cost that is often only achievable for the large multi-nationals. Congratulations to Louise!

buy local News

Could it be too late to halt the decline of independent shops?

14th July 2008

The battle between the big supermarkets and the small to medium-sized business which decreasingly populate our towns and cities is not a straight forward one.

It is not all about consumer choice, price and brand loyalty.

FSB urges government to maintain business growth scheme

14th July 2008

The Federation of Small businesses (FSB) has urged ministers to maintain and improve a successful scheme that rewards local authorities for supporting entrepreneurs.

Fantastic time had by buy local members & supporters in the Lord Mayor's Street Procession!

7th July 2008

Directors, Staff, Members and Supporters were out promoting the buy local message on a colourful float under the theme of businesses 200 years ago.

Telegraph Research Shows 3,000 Greengrocers Lost in Last Decade

23rd June 2008

British high streets have lost nearly 3,000 greengrocers over the last decade, highlighting the dramatic decline of traditional shops and forcing customers to pay more for their fruit and vegetables, according to research conducted by the Daily Telegraph.