'We have been here quite a few generations, I think people are proud of a shop like this in town' - Pontefract business owner encourages people to support local in the last week before Christmas

In the last week of shopping before Christmas the Express is urging readers to support  our local businesses.
Chris Pennock at the Pomfret Gallery in PontefractChris Pennock at the Pomfret Gallery in Pontefract
Chris Pennock at the Pomfret Gallery in Pontefract

The collapse of retail giants like Debenhams and Arcadia have shown that no one is immune this year and small businesses need your help most of all.

It’s taken huge efforts from traders to adapt to new guidelines and stay afloat this year.

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With Christmas the busiest time of the year for sales, those businesses are depending on their loyal, local customers more than ever.

Chris Pennock has been framing pictures at Pomfret Gallery in Pontefract town centre for 33 years.

He said people the town had backed his business through a difficult year.

He said: “I think they’re proud of a place like we have. It’s a pretty unique business. We have been framing pictures for quite a few generations, I think people are proud of a shop like this in town and people want to keep it.”

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He runs the business his wife and son and frames anything from paintings and photographs to certificates and football shirts. Chris said: “Each thing people bring in is important to them so we take care of their work and make it look the best we can.”

He was grateful for the backing his businesses had received from local people and said it was more important than ever before.

He said: “Small businesses are the nucleus of a town and we know they need support.

“Quite often they are no more expensive, often much better quality, run by people who know about the products and know what they are talking about.

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“I think people are embracing local businesses and realising they need help.”

Firms in hospitality have been adapting to new challenges throughout the year. Maud’s Cafe and Tu Kitchen in Pontefract, Breakfast at Tracy’s and the Magnet pub in Castleford are among the many business that have been providing a takeaway service during the various lockdown and tier changes.

Others have found the current tier system makes it too difficult to return at the moment and are looking to the future.

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