Free advertising for businesses still trading in lockdown in our special supplement

Despite the lockdown, hundreds of small businesses the length and breadth of the Chichester Observer series circulation area are still trading – lawfully adapting to the controls in place and often providing home delivery.

Now the Observer is celebrating and highlighting their efforts to help people and keep the local economy going by announcing it will be producing a special four-page Open for Business supplement every week in May to promote their services - free of charge.

To make this possible, we are hugely grateful to sponsors Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, whose home is in Chichester, and Chichester District Council.

Gary Shipton, editor of the Chichester Observer series, said the aim was to 'celebrate the efforts of thousands of small operations the length and breadth of the Observer circulation area that are still trading'.

He said: "Let us raise a glass of Sussex wine or apple juice to everyone who is ensuring that despite all the challenges we remain Open for Business."

To be included, small enterprises should e-mail no more than 60 words about their company and the service/products they offer to commercial editor Simon Toft at [email protected]. A photograph may be included.

Please note that entries are subject to space and cannot be guaranteed and businesses must operate within the circulation area of the Chichester Observer, the Midhurst and Petworth Observer or the Bognor Regis Observer.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.