Figures released this week have revealed the majority of residents in Crosby think their local shops are much better than national chains.

The figures, released after a poll taken out by thebestof.co.uk, show that 75% of locals prefer to pop to the local butchers than the supermarket.

Resident Pete Matthews said: “We're very lucky in Crosby Village because there is everything you could need.

”It's no surprise to me that most local residents prefer the small shops because they are so fantastic. I always shop local for my veg, meats and other fresh goods. You can always guarantee a better quality of service locally.

“Small villages need to be preserved, and the local businesses are a big part of that. Crosby is fantastic  and I'm proud that so many residents make an effort to shop local and support our local traders.”

On a list of top ten local services people prefer to use, the local butchers came out at number one.

TheBestOf released the new figures to coincide with its '14 Days of Love' campaign, which invites people to 'show some love' to the millions of local small firms and shops in the area via the website (thebestof.co.uk).

Consumers branded many workers in bigger companies 'not fully equipped' to deal with questions or queries and said most lacked training. Customers love the personal service they receive at smaller companies, and appreciate that staff are knowledgeable about their field and products. But big companies have also come under fire for being too pre-occupied with making money and having no time for their customers.

Sam Williamson has owned Williamson's Family Butchers in College Road for eight years. He told The Champion: “Local shops give a great quality of service. Williamson's is a small retail business and it's important that we give individual service. At the supermarkets you just can't get that.

"Also, many people don't want to go to the supermarket and buy a pack of eight sausages if they live alone, it's too much and a waste.

“At a local butcher shop you can buy just the portion you need.

"This is also a good meeting place  people get chatting in the shop and I know most of my customers on first name terms  they have become friends. That is something the big chains cant compete with.“

Ian Whittigham from TheBestOf Crosby said: ”This survey shows that big companies just don't cut it when it comes to customer service, product knowledge or experience. Small local firms who are much better at providing the personal touch that we value routinely outclass them.

“'14 Days of Love' is all about showing some love and appreciation to the great small business owners in Crosby that have kept our economy going over the last 18 months and who look after their customers brilliantly.”

Nigel Botterill, Chief Executive of TheBestOf said: “Over one in five people said that there was a small local firm that they just couldn't live without. That's an incredibly strong statement. Yet few of us  me included  think to tell our most loved businesses how important they are, and how much we appreciate them.” 

Resident Pete Matthews added: “Community spirit is a big part of village living  and Crosby has it in the gallons.”

To declare your love for a local business in Crosby go to: www.thebestof.co.uk/sharethelove

THE POLL RESULTS:

80% of people believe staff working in larger businesses often don't know as much as they should about their products and services.

83% believe large companies are too pre-occupied with making money, and six in 10 people say staff need better training.

56% say they have had an argument with someone in a large national company due to poor customer service.

Half of all Brits have formally complained about a business in the last 12 months for its lack of service, bad staff attitudes and over-charging - nine out of 10 of these businesses were big national chains.

67% of people believe smaller family run companies look after their staff better than the bigger conglomerates.

57% of consumers say they have made the effort to compliment a small business on the good service they have received.

Eight in 10 people believe smaller businesses deserve more recognition for the role they play in the community.

MOST VALUED LOCAL BUSINESSES:

1.      Butcher
2.      Hairdressers
3.      Grocers
4.      Newsagent
5.      Takeaway
6.      Barbers
7.      Florist
8.      Fishmongers
9.      Bakers
10.     Pet shop

MOST FREQUENTLY NAMED AND SHAMED NATIONAL BIG BUSINESSES:

BT
Tesco
British Gas
PC World

By Rebecca Keegan