Independent retailers are relying on Christmas sales to survive as pandemic pressures threaten to put them out of business.

Royston Crow: Third Generation in Melbourn is back open after the government lockdown. Picture: Third Generation Hair StudioThird Generation in Melbourn is back open after the government lockdown. Picture: Third Generation Hair Studio (Image: Archant)

The Royston Crow is launching our #ShopLocal campaign encouraging residents of Royston and the surrounding villages to take advantage of their local shops or risk losing them.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be speaking to local businesses across our areas and sharing their stories of entrepreneurship and determination as they face the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions and the rise of online shopping.

Starting this week, we spoke to artisan food producers and retailers including award-winning Cambridgeshire fudge-maker Joanne Canalella, and found out from Bury Lane Farm Shop about the effects of the pandemic on the cheese industry.

We also spoke to a Melbourn hair salon about how they are going ‘above and beyond’ for their clients since coming out of lockdown.

Any local businesses which would like to be featured are invited to get in touch at news@royston-crow.co.uk.

We also want to hear from readers about their favourite independent shops to visit locally, so please get in touch at the same address.