TODAY the Stourbridge News launches a campaign to support local businesses to help them recover from the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

Many of these businesses re-opened today, Monday June 15, after more than two months of being closed, while others such as hairdressers and pubs won’t be able to trade again until July.

For those businesses that have been able to remain open during the lockdown, many have seen a significant loss in income.

Stourbridge News editor Stephanie Preece said: “This is a crucial time for local businesses as they try to recover from the impact of the lockdown which, for many, has seen them without any income for more than two months.

“In this area, we are fortunate to have so many great local, independent businesses and we need our community to support them now to make sure we don’t lose them.

“In the coming months we will be promoting these businesses in our newspaper, on our website and our social media channels, to help spread the message that they are open and highlight why they are so valuable to this community.

“I urge all of our readers to show that they love local business by supporting them.”

Black Country businesses are working hard to adapt to life in the post-Covid 19 environment.

Despite pessimistic global economic forecasts, there is optimism in the local business community even though companies need to change how they operate to work safely as they strive to protect their customers and staff from the risk of contracting cornavirus.

Family-run business World of Windows has been in business in Brierley Hill for more than 30 years and is totally focused on serving its local customer base.

Molly North, World of Windows manager, said: “We don’t go beyond a 15-mile radius, all our customers are recommendations.

“All our work is in in the local vicinity, it’s important and that is why we advertise in our local area.”

The company has worked hard to adapt to the post-Covid 19 rules on social distancing to protect staff and customers from possible infection.

World of Windows has an upbeat view about how the market for their products and services will develop as travel restrictions mean people may look to change their spending habits.

Molly North added: “People are looking to enjoy their homes rather than spending money going on holiday abroad.

“They are spending on home improvements - we are staying positive.”

Stourbridge News sales director, Dale Godliman said: “I am delighted that we are running a sustained campaign outlining the importance of using local business, at what is a crucial time for so many SMEs.

“We reach a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands and, through a combination of combining our loyal print publications, record online audiences and market leading engagement via our social media channels, we are really confident that we can be the marketing partner of choice for local businesses during this crucial period.

“We are really banging the drum for local businesses from all sectors including retail, hospitality and leisure and encouraging our loyal readership to show their support by shopping local.

Any business which wants to be featured in the News Group campaign, call 01905742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.”