THE city has rallied round its independent traders in the first week of lockdown, says a champion of small businesses.

Independent Oxford's online map of stores operating during the four-week shutdown has generated massive interest from residents keen to support local traders.

The organisation has teamed up with The Oxford Times, Oxford City Council and Experience Oxfordshire for our OxMas campaign to promote small businesses during the next month.

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Co-founder Rosie Jacobs is delighted with the response, but urged people to continue backing independents.

She said: "We've had a huge spike in traffic to our website this week and have had so many emails from people saying they want to shop local.

"On the one hand I think businesses are more prepared as they've done this before.

"But we're seven months down the line, energy levels are really low and I think a lot of businesses are finding it difficult to power through.

"Every time restrictions change they have to put an immense amount of work into changing their offer and that takes a lot of effort.

"Even those who are weathering the storm are finding it really hard to motivate themselves."

As well as the map, Independent Oxford has created a guide on how to support small businesses during lockdown.

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This includes everything from takeaways to online classes and places delivering music, books and clothes to your door.

There is also an Instagram competition running every day this month, while on November 27 – Black Friday – Ms Jacobs and co-founder Anna Munday will host an afternoon of Christmas tips on Independent Oxford's YouTube channel.

The date of the 'Oxfordshire Christmas Extravaganza' is deliberate, with Ms Jacobs explaining it is a crucial day for businesses.

She said: "It's absolutely vital lockdown finishes on December 2.

"We're into the golden quarter and traditionally businesses wouldn't be in the black until Black Friday."

Despite this, the number of traders still operating and the decision to keep The Covered Market open leaves Ms Jacobs optimistic.

She said: "A lot of businesses have adapted really quickly and that's the beauty of small and independent businesses.

"They've got that fleet of foot that bigger businesses don't necessarily have."