LETTER: Save local business

The small town was a fresh change, introducing me to small businesses, run by passionate owners and families.

But I noticed the heartbreaking reality that would cause these businesses to fail.

The first time I went to the Littlehampton Bakery, I talked with the owner about her handmade bakings, and her love for the business. I was in awe.

I had grown up around big company names that employed miserable workers, to hand out factory made food.

Littlehampton has something really special. But the harsh reality shows this won’t last forever.

Big companies are soon to come in and take over, without hesitation.

This reality struck me when I saw the owner of a local coffee shop, staring at the Costa across the street with a sad look on her face.

Her cafe was empty, and Costa was packed. But these businesses don’t have to fail.

The flaw that lies with most of the small businesses in Littlehampton is their grasp on traditional business.

They depend heavily on their service and location. But a business’s visibility is no longer dependant on their location. It’s dependant on their presence online.

Consider how many people use their smartphones to search for a place to eat. Now consider how visible a business is, that doesn’t have a website.

At one point it was all about ‘word of mouth’. This is dead. It’s all about social media and sharing links.

The internet is the modern solution to traditional business. But the local owners have yet to see this, which may be the cause of their demise.

I’d love to get this message to them, because it may be the only way to save their business.

Braeden Plein

Church Street

Littlehampton

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