People are being encouraged to shop local this Christmas following the Government's announcement that opening hours of non-essential shops can be extended in the run-up to the holiday.

The announcement, made yesterday by communities secretary Robert Jenrick, will allow businesses to extend their opening hours from Monday to Sunday until January.

Planning rules limiting opening hours will be relaxed to make this an quicker process for businesses wishing to take part.

Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “I am very supportive of retailers being allowed to extend their opening hours, and I am encouraging Copeland’s business community to take advantage of this if they are able to.

“We have a wonderful array of long-established local businesses and high streets shops in our towns and villages, and many will be reopening their doors this week after a period of closure and have never needed our community’s support more than they do now.

“Copeland Council is offering free parking in all 10 of our car parks until January 3, to encourage residents and visitors to spend their time and money in our towns."

"We also launched our Shop Local campaign in the summer to support our businesses through our new Shop Local Co-ordinator, and to highlight in The Whitehaven News and on social media the quality and range of businesses in our borough."

“Please visit our website for three directories – listing contacts details for hundreds of retail, food and health and beauty businesses – and we’re sure you can get what you need this Christmas in Copeland.”

The news has been welcomed by retailers as a step in the right direction of helping businesses but it is one that some businesses may not reap any benefits from.

Gerard Richardson, owner of Richardsons of Whitehaven, believes that whilst it is good news that the Government is supporting businesses during this difficult time, it is a scheme that will most likely benefit larger cities.

"In a town like Whitehaven with the population density and the demographics that we have got, I don't really think that's going to be useful to us at all but that's not a criticism.

"I appreciate that in some of the cities where they have got higher densities of population, people do come out at random times and hours, it's a real bonus.

"At the end of the day, it's nice that the Government is actually looking to see what they can do to part-mitigate some of the loss of business this year."

The Shop Local campaign launched by Copeland Council has helped businesses throughout the pandemic, with stores seeing lots of new customers purchasing items.

As Christmas approaches, it is hoped that shoppers will continue to think about the businesses in Whitehaven when buying their presents but also beyond into the coming year too.

Mr Richardson said: "The Shop Local campaign has been an absolute God send.

"What I'd rather see now in Whitehaven is this positive message about shopping local, about supporting local business, I'd like to see that last through 2021 and beyond.

"It really is the case of support local or don't have a high street because the nationals are withdrawing."