Use Them Or Lose Them!
We need to actively support our local restaurants, country inns and cafes in order to give the hospitality industry a much-needed boost, writes Tedd Walmsley
Over the past few years, our beloved independent restaurants, cafés and hotels have been through the wringer. Lockdowns, skyrocketing costs, staff shortages – it’s been one challenge after another and many are still fighting to stay afloat. But here’s the thing – these places aren’t just businesses. They’re the heartbeat of our communities, the places we go to celebrate, unwind and make memories. If we don’t support them now, we risk losing them for good.
Think about it. When you choose a local restaurant over a big chain, you’re not just getting a meal – you’re supporting real people. The owners, the chefs and the servers – they’re the ones who put their heart and soul into every plate, every drink and every little detail. They know your name, remember your favourite order and actually care about your experience. Try getting that level of personal service at a faceless multinational!
And let’s talk about quality. Independent places live and die by their reputation, which means they go the extra mile to give you something special. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients, creative menus, homemade cakes that taste like heaven – this is the kind of experience you just can’t replicate with a mass-produced approach. And yet, despite offering all this, they’re the ones struggling the most.
We all feel the pinch when prices rise, and naturally we’re more careful about where we spend our money. But while we’re managing the cost of living, small businesses are battling the cost of doing business with higher energy bills, rising supplier costs and increasing wages. It’s a constant uphill battle and without regular customers, some simply won’t make it.
So, what can we do? Supporting local hospitality doesn’t have to mean splashing out on a fancy meal every weekend. It can be as simple as choosing an independent café for your morning coffee, booking a stay at a family-run hotel instead of a chain or telling your friends about a fantastic meal you had at a local restaurant. Even something as small as leaving a positive review online can make a world of difference.
At the end of the day, it comes down to this – use it or lose it. If we don’t support our local hospitality businesses now, we’ll look around one day and wonder where they’ve all gone. And once they’re gone, they don’t come back. So, let’s raise a glass not just to great food and drink, but to the incredible people behind them. They need us, and if we want to keep enjoying what they bring to our lives, it’s time to show up for them.
