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 is just to visit the butcher or greengrocer, to go for a coffee or a haircut, or even visit a church, Royal Cornwall Museum, a theatre, the cinema or the cathedral.

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 is essential we do not let them die out. We all want and need our town centres to be the best they can.

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

Throwing his full support behind the campaign is Truro's Business Improvement District manager Neil Scott, who believes, with your support, the city has the "key ingredients which make a town centre great".

"It is a place with a real sense of identity," he added. "But it relies on the patronage of the visitors to Truro to keep it going.

"The West Briton's campaign is a wonderful opportunity to work together to celebrate the town, entice in more people and get them to engage with the experience of being in Truro."

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."