INDEPENDENT traders in Marlborough are joining forces for survival - under a new 'love local' campaign.

More than 80 shops in the town have been posted with window stickers with the plea that 'the little guy needs you now' to encourage people to shop local.

The campaign is the brainchild of Karl Lloyd, who's burger restaurant, The Kitchen Sisters, launched at The Bear in October last year.

"Its only independent traders I've given it too - none of the High Street chains. Since lockdown, our businesses have just stopped dead here. The financial threat created by months of little or no trade reaching much closer to home. For many of us, everything is on the line.We are none of us far away from the financial edge - non of us make a fortune, at the best of times.

"The High Street is not a level playing field really, as we have no budget - and the the likes of Ask Pizza or Costa have millions behind them.

"We aren't saying don't shop at Waitrose or have a coffee at Costa - but hopefully if people see this sticker they might be a bit more thoughtful and try to buy from the indies instead. This wont hurt big chains but could men a lot to small traders."

The town's Mayor, Clr Mark Thomas has also joined the call to support loca businesses.

" I fully support the buy local campaign and fully encourage everyone in the town to support and buy from the wonderful local independent retailers we have in Marlborough," he said.

Karl is now compiling a compendium of local traders and is building a website as a one stop shop to find out more about them.

"In itself, a single window sticker might not seem like much," Karl added. "“Part of what makes places like Marlborough unique are the small independent traders who give a town much of its flavour, and as one retailer would say, every little helps!"

The website is www.lovelocal.org.uk