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The recent revelations that a further 4,000 post offices are set to close this year, in addition to the 2,500 initially declared, are further evidence that local communities are increasingly coming under threat.
However research from Combined Insurance has identified that more than nine in ten people (92%) are concerned about the serious threats to the fabric of their community life and nearly a third of those cited the closure of their local shops and post offices to be hugely damaging to their communities.
As consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated with supermarkets and retailers threatening the prosperity of their local community - one in two people (46%) are looking to 'go local' in search of the personal touch, according to Combined Insurance.
As part of its ongoing research into people's sense of community spirit and national pride in the country, community insurer Combined Insurance asked a GB representative sample of over 1,900 people what they would consider doing to support the local community where they live.
Key findings
- One in three people (31%) said they would make a point of supporting local businesses, with people living in the West Country and East Anglia the keenest (34% and 34%). People living in the West Country also feel most passionate about using their local independent stores (58%).
- Joining and supporting the neighbourhood watch and crime busting schemes is on the minds of one in three (31%). The older generation are the most keen to tackle crime in their local community (38%) and the Scots the most likely region (38%).
- Almost one in four people (23%) made it clear they would consider supporting their local school.
- Charitable folk - one in seven people (14%) have said they would sponsor or take part in fund raising initiatives for their local charity and the same amount would make regular donations to a worthy local cause to bring their community together, with the Welsh and people living in East Anglia the most supportive (both 18%).
Nigel Brittle, Director at Combined Insurance commented:
It is re-assuring to see people are turning to their local communities and wanting to do business with local people, whether it is helping in a charitable way to make a bad day better, joining the neighbourhood watch or supporting local shops and businesses. This is a positive message for small businesses and should bring people together as a consequence. As a community insurer that takes pride in doing business face to face with local people, we support efforts taken to protect local communities.
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