Make a #BizPromise to give a lifeline of hope to Leighton Buzzard's small businesses during coronavirus crisis

Andrena Carden-White, founder of community magazine Bee Local, is asking the public to pledge to support local businesses who have been affected by COVID-19 through her #Bizpromise initiative.

Residents are encouraged to make a #BizPromise to reassure local organisations in these uncertain and frightening times that when they are able to get back to work as normal there are customers waiting for them.

A Business Promise is a pledge from the consumer to a small business to use their services or buy a product from them when normality resumes.

The Leighton Buzzard area has a history of a thriving and close-knit small business community with many organisations such as Leighton-Linslade Town Council, the FSB, LB First and Central Bedfordshire Council working together on projects to ensure the overall success of businesses.

But Andrena said: "This is a difficult time for all of us. Small businesses have been hugely impacted by COVID-19 and some may not receive financial support or may have to wait months to receive it.

"In some cases, businesses who are able to trade have had to rapidly adapt; it is an overwhelming and stressful time. Obviously, a Business Promise is not legally binding, but for the owner of that organisation seeing that someone is ready and waiting to use their service is a lifeline through all the stress and worry."

Andrena, who is part of the organising committee for the Leighton-Linslade Town Council’s annual Business Network Event, also sits on the FSB’s Special Interest Group alongside Gennaro Borrelli from LB First and other local business owners and organisations to support local business by lobbying and events.

She added: "People can give their support on social media by making a promise and sharing on their own profile or by posting on the chosen recipient’s page, tagging them and using the hashtag #BizPromise. By tagging in Bee Local Magazine as well their promise can be shared further to get more people involved and showing the love for struggling local businesses.

"An example would be 'I am going to use Anthony @TonyMasonUpholsterer to refurbish my antique chair #BizPromise @beelocalmagazine'."