We all thrive on positive feedback, love, and appreciation and the same goes for our High Streets.

So, what better time of year than now, to show love for our local small businesses?

People across the UK – no matter where they live – are being urged to nominate an outstanding local shop or business for “Love Local Day” on 14 February.

Independent businesses up and down the country who receive the most nominations will receive a gift on Valentine’s Day 14 February, to demonstrate a token of love from their community and appreciation from their local neighbourhoods.

‘Love Local Day’ is all about sharing the love of all things local, independent, and unique. It is one of the first events in a national 2021 Support Local campaign from award-winning, local shopping champions, Shopappy.com.

To decide which business should receive the gift, people are being invited to nominate their favourite local business online by 12th February 2021 and explain in a few words why these businesses are so special. Nominations can be made at www.ShopAppy.com/nominate-your-favourite-local-business

So far over 250 nominations have been received from towns as far afield as Enfield, London, Kendal in the Lake District and Kirkcaldy in Scotland. There are many different reasons for nominations, but some include: friendliness and recognition; “feeling like I belong to the area” and “excellent service with staff going out of their way to help.”

Cara Forrester, from Love Oor Lang Toun in Kirkcaldy in Scotland, urged people to shop local AND online. She says: “We want people to browse and buy local from the comfort of their living room and are encouraging people to click local first. ShopAppy gives everyone the chance to shop local 24/7 and the added benefit is that it also gives support to some of our amazing local, independent businesses all at the same time. Shopping local is for life, not just for lockdown. Now, more than ever, the local business community need us to show them some love.”

Dr Jackie Mulligan, Founder of ShopAppy who is leading the national 2021 Year to Support Local campaign adds: “Now is certainly a challenging time for our town centres and high streets, but we know there is tremendous love for local businesses in our communities. So, in 2021 we are asking everyone to really champion their local areas, their unique shops and their home-grown businesses. This campaign has been created to highlight the huge importance and positive impact these organisations have in the life of our communities and commercial hearts. Don’t allow them to disappear for ever as we will never get them back!

Wherever you live in the UK, you can find out more about love local day by visiting: www.shopappy.co.uk/love-local-day-2021