Community spirit is alive and well at Christmas, according to latest data, with the pub emerging as the best spot to meet for a Christmas tipple with local friends, while the turkey is in the oven.
According to the survey of 2,000 Britons by Smart Energy GB, 49 percent of adults will venture to their local public house on Christmas Day.
The survey found, the nation is also keen to support their local restaurants and shops this year – with a quarter (25 percent) saying they have ordered their Christmas bird from their local butcher.
Almost half (47 percent) are visiting their greengrocer for festive fruit and veg, while 42 percent will be buying Christmas cheese from their nearest deli – and as many as a quarter (25 percent) have been ditching the shopping trolley, donning their tote bag and popping to their local bakery for festive treats such as mince pies and gingerbread men.
When it comes to pressies, 26 percent will be browsing local gift shops, rather than relying on the internet to deliver all their packages.
Other ways the country will be supporting their local community over the festive period include going to a local restaurant for a Christmas Eve meal (37 percent), visiting a nearby barber or hairdresser (46 percent).
According to the research, Brits like buying from independent shops as it’s more sustainable to buy locally (33 percent), while 28 percent felt it was nicer to shop at places where you are recognised and there is a sense of community.
In fact, as many as 72 percent of those surveyed said they are friendly with the small business owners around them, while one in three (30 percent) opt to shop locally to help them stay in business.
As a result, over the month of December, we will be making an average of six trips to gift shops, five trips to the butcher, six trips to the baker, five trips to a wine shop and six to a greengrocer.
The study also revealed 57 percent of small business owners have extended their opening hours to deal with a busy Christmas, even though three quarters (74 percent) are concerned about increased running costs and energy prices (80 percent) this winter.
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: “It’s great to see Brits supporting their local businesses this Christmas. We can see over half of local businesses are going to extend their hours, even though running costs are a concern. Getting a smart meter installed can help small business owners to manage their energy usage and costs.”
Christmas is a vital time for small businesses with 76 percent of small business owners saying that festive period is the most important time of year for generating turnover.
