SHOPPERS are being urged to repay the efforts of local independent shops which kept them fed and supplied during lockdown – by continuing do business with them.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Independents’ Day, which will highlight and promote the UK’s network of small independent traders, West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said without their support, lockdown would have been a lot tougher for thousands of families.

“The independent butchers and groceries were the places people turned to when they found supermarket shelves empty, and they were the businesses which went the extra mile by offering home deliveries for vulnerable and shielded people,” he said.

As part of his support for Independents’ Day, Mr Liddell-Grainger visited John Payton’s Somerset Farmhouse business in Williton, (pictured) describing it as the ‘quintessential’ independent butchery.

“John’s customers never went short – virtually all his meat comes from the locality as do most of his other lines. The supply never ran dry.

“Despite the difficulties they faced, independents like John have helped to make an extraordinarily difficult period much more bearable for thousands of families.

“I hope now we are emerging from the nightmare those families will acknowledge the debt they owe them and start to repay it by continuing to shop with them.”