Swap shops

In an unlikely partnership, a prominent business lobby and an environmental group have joined forces to save Britain's local shops. The Friends of the Earth has launched its Shop Local First campaign, which has received the backing of the Federation of Small Businesses. Timed to coincide with the Office of Fair Trading's report into supermarket dominance, the Friends of the Earth scheme urges shoppers to switch their allegiance from big chain stores to prevent thousands of independent shops from closing.

The environment would be better served, since local stores are more likely to sell fruit and vegetables from farms close by, rather than from around the world. The Federation of Small Businesses believes that neighbourhoods will lose their corner shops altogether unless they support local produce sold locally.