BUSINESSES in our market towns are publicly giving a defiant and bouyant stance about the recession.

And it is heartening to see some of those we have spoken to today putting an emphasis on hard work as being key to seeing them through these turbulent times.

But this doesn’t hide the need for us all to do what we can to support our local businesses.

Sometimes there can be too much focus on the city’s business when our market towns are just as important.

Local businesses are the lifeblood of our towns and the city. Can anyone say that they ignore the sight of more boarded-up shops when they walk down their High Street?

There are benefits to having many smaller companies alongside the national chains: a vibrant High Street, more choice and variety, and more employment.

Of course we live in a free market and families are also considering how best to stretch their meagre budgets, so it would be wrong to preach that they must use their local businesses exclusively.

But it is not too altruistic to at least consider that where prices are comparable, it would be better to steer your purchasing power towards your town’s businesses.