East Anglians prefer to shop local

Consumers in East Anglia are keener on shopping locally than anywhere else in England, according to environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth. A survey released this week reveals that 85pc of the people questioned would like to see a wider variety of independent stores in their communities, giving wholehearted backing to local producers and retailers. Throughout Britain, only Wales and Scotland were more supportive of smaller shops, with 94pc and 88pc respectively calling for a wider grocery market locally. Also, almost half of the people questioned nationally - 43pc - would oppose a new Tesco store in their area while 33pc would welcome one. Jennifer Parkhouse, Friends of the Earth co-ordinator for Norfolk, said: “Every little trip to the corner shop is a small step that can catch on in a big way.“It puts the breaks on huge supermarkets encroaching into the retail market and blocks vital funds from being sucked out of the local economy.”