THE WEST BRITON today launches a campaign designed to give the local economy a much-needed shot in the arm. We are not asking readers for their money or even their time. Instead we are simply asking them to Go To Town!

We recognise that people are tight on money and time and are not suggesting everybody can go into town for their big weekly shop.

But we do believe everybody has the time and the money to make a weekly trip into town, even if it's just to visit the butcher or greengrocer, to go for a coffee or a haircut, or visit Helston's popular folk museum, church or cinema.

Put simply, if we all commit to using our town centres and utilising local businesses, they are more likely to thrive. We have so many relatively small town centres, it's essential we do not let them die out. We all want and need our town centres to be the best they can.

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We want to work with every town and every business. Core themes of the campaign will include shouting about what makes our towns great places to visit. We'll also encourage local councils, trade bodies and businesses to all do their bit to make our towns as good as they can be.

We want to banish grot-spots and grim, empty shopfronts.

We'll launch competitions for the best streets to win free advertising to help them attract even more business.

John Boase, Mayor of Helston, welcomed the news.

"People don't want to visit a town centre that's run down, difficult to get to or move around, and doesn't offer them what they want," he said.

"That's why it's important to manage our town centre, building on a strong partnership between local people, local businesses and local service providers such as the town council."

West Briton editor Richard Best said: "One reason the West Briton remains a successful local newspaper is the sense of community that still exists in our Cornish towns and villages. We're hoping to be able to harness that.

"If towns are busy, the shops benefit; if we have attractive and vibrant towns, they are more attractive to locals and holidaymakers. Big multinationals are a fact of life and most of us are very happy to use them, but the more money that stays in the local economy, the better.

"Please Go To Town! this week and every week."