Nisa Local’s latest online campaign Shop Local has successfully engaged with 18,000 followers on Facebook, while the #lovetobelocal hashtag was used on Twitter 320,000 times.

Between 20th June and 4th July, communities across the UK have shown their support for local retailers by embracing Nisa’s recent Shop Local campaign, which aimed to raise awareness of the importance of local businesses and celebrate the positive impact they have on their communities.

The number of nominations Nisa members’ stores received through the campaign’s dedicated website, www.lovetobelocal.co.uk, stood at 141 entries put forward by customers. Fifteen of those retailers will now receive £1,000 to donate to good causes in their local communities.

Steve Leach, business unit director for independent and specialist at Nisa, said: “Through our Shop Local campaign, we urged shoppers to get behind their local stores and support their community retailers who provide an invaluable service to many people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

“Shoppers really got behind the campaign, recognising the value of local businesses and the social and economic benefits they bring to communities. Now thanks to the engagement created by our online campaign, 15 communities will benefit further through £1,000 donations to be spent on local good causes.”

Nisa supports over 1,300 local retailers and 3,000 stores across the UK. Some operate under the Nisa brand and others under their own names.