Walking in Helensburgh this week I am reminded that shopping locally is not just for Christmas. We must ensure that our support for our own High Street is for life. I feel passionately that small businesses are vital to the success of a community. Small, boutique businesses give character to our High Street.

It's hard to deny the allure and convenience of a big store and online purchasing. They're open early and late, are probably just a short drive away, offer plenty of variety, and maybe even have vouchers to boot. But have you ever considered the pros of shopping locally?

If you have friends and family members scattered throughout the country, it can be tempting to take the easy way out and just buy a gift voucher from a national chain store. But this year, why not resist the temptation and shop locally instead?

When you shop at your local retailers, you can find unique and one-of-a-kind products that are simply not available anywhere else in the country at any price.

People ‘invest’ in the community by shopping locally. Where there’s enough choice on the High Street, people should make the effort to support as many local shops as possible. A strong High Street keeps our community unique. A prosperous High Street attracts people from out-of-town. Employment, service, environment and community all prosper from a busy and buoyant High Street. Therefore my advice this November. Head into your High Street. Wrap up warm, arm yourself with a good umbrella, walk around town and explore and enjoy the unique experience of shopping locally. You will find, as I have done, that there is plenty of variety within our own High Street. Happy shopping!

HELPFUL HINT: Make a list of everyone on your gift list before you head down-town. Write a few words about that person and what they like, and use that as a guide while you shop.