'Buy local' call as shoe shop chain pulls out
BBCShoppers are being urged to "buy local" and back independent businesses in North Lincolnshire following the announcement that the Clarks store in Scunthorpe is to close.
North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham said independent businesses were vital to the area's economy and identity, particularly at a time when many larger chains were struggling.
He said the departure of Clarks would be "another blow" for the town centre.
"This is the problem with being dependent on big organisations," he said.
A spokesperson for Clarks confirmed the store in Scunthorpe would close in early December.
"We'd like to thank the store team for their hard work and commitment, as well as our loyal customers who have shopped with us at the store," they added.
Waltham said although there was no easy solution to the loss of national retailers, the council's Buy Local, Back North Lincs campaign aimed to support local traders.
"They are people who live locally and employ local people," he said.
Waltham said the local authority would continue supporting town centres, although "the council doesn't own the shops and we don't set the rents".
He added: "We do events and other activities to bring people into town centres, but if you can buy local you will make a significant difference, particularly in the run-up to Christmas."
In recent years, Scunthorpe – like many other towns – has lost a number of major retailers, despite receiving government funding to regenerate the town centre.
One shopper described the loss of Clarks as "terrible" news, while others said it was inevitable because of changing shopping habits.
Elaine Lloyd said she wanted to see a return to how it used to be before the demise of major retailers such as Littlewoods, BHS and Woolworths.
"They've all gone," her husband John added.
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