RESIDENTS within the Bro Ffestiniog district are being urged to buy local.

The Blaenau Ffestiniog Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is working in conjunction with Gwynedd councillor Mandy Williams-Davies to see if they can get the Buy Local Campaign up and running in the area.

The aim of the scheme is to entice more people to buy local goods, services and products.

The hope is to make use of the region’s diverse local economy and not risk the community’s future prosperity by spending elsewhere either on the internet or in other towns.

The aim is to develop a thriving local economy and help the environment by reducing carbon emissions and the need to travel far.

The scheme is also supported by Dref Werdd and Gwynedd Council.

As it stands, there are roughly 101,000 adults over the age of 16 living in Gwynedd.

If every one of those adults were to spend £5 per week in a local shop or market, instead of spending it at a chain store or online, the county’s economy would benefit by a staggering £26m per year.

Shopping locally means buying from local, independent traders more often, instead of persistently using big chain stores.

This keeps money circulating in the local area, helping to make the local economy strong and healthy for the benefit of all members of the Ffestiniog community.

The Buy Local Scheme aims to support and inform businesses and consumers who would like to do more to help strengthen the Welsh highlands local economy.

In order to engage the public, the Blaenau Ffestiniog Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has put together a survey for people in the area and business owners.

The results from the survey will help develop the Buy Local Scheme and allows participants to have their say about the future of the area.

To complete the survey, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PTKWWLZ

A paper version which can be picked up in the shops and cafes on the Blaenau Ffestiniog High Street.

The closing date for the survey is Friday 12 February.

Please returned completed surveys to Dref Werdd, Town Council, Cafe De Niro or This and That both in the High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog or by email to [email protected]

For more information regarding the Buy Local Campaign, visit http://www.prynunlleolgwynedd.co.uk/?lang=en