Town mayor councillor Alastair McPherson said: “Many of our businesses have struggled during the lockdown and many of them have also shown compassion and caring by adapting the way they operate, donating food and packages and supporting our community. “So I am asking us all to help get our local economy going and support our local businesses. “I’m going to kick off this campaign by shopping locally and my family and I will provide feedback and highlights on their local shopping experiences over the coming months – see my Mayor’s section on our website for results!” He said the community was fortunate to have such a diverse range of shops in the town, such as a local butchers, fresh fish shop, local supermarkets, a delicatessen and a regular farmers market. “We have everything you need on hand locally from homeware and hardware stores to gifts, flowers, toys and games,” he added. “We have shops for clothes, shoes and gifts, for health and sports and for toys, games and party supplies.” Mr McPherson commented on the importance of local businesses – which, he said, create jobs locally, are run or managed by local people and many support local charities and community groups. “Our local businesses are the backbone of our economy,” he said. “Choosing to shop local also has a tremendous positive impact on our environment. “It can help reduce air pollution and fuel consumption. Buying locally produced food cuts down on carbon footprints as it doesn’t rely on overseas travel or long lorry trips. “It also reduces the need for shipping, packing and refrigeration facilities and is therefore far kinder to our environment worldwide. “So let’s get our local economy going and Shop Local Haywards Heath.” He thanked the community for pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic: “It is certainly a strange time for our community but I have been so proud of the way in which we have all pulled together in support of the elderly and more vulnerable in our town. “Thank you all so very much for your wonderful community spirit.” 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.