Internet shopping and a tendency to visit familiar multinational and big-chain restaurants are chipping away at communities and making life considerably blander. While choosing big-name businesses over small might save you money and time in the short-term, in the long-term preserving the character of your local high street could be worth a lot more than you think. Here’s our top 10 reasons for spending some of your pounds locally: 1. You can help build communities. Popping out to your local butcher, florist, restaurant or pub builds familiarity. It’s the way friendships are made – the old-fashioned way, through eye-contact, a friendly ‘hello’ and a little small talk. And independent business

Popular Stoke Newington pub the Red Lion is offering 10% off Monday-Friday evenings to members of the Local Buyers Club. The pub on Stoke Newington Church Street recently came under new ownership and has undergone some wonderful improvements. The rooms are lighter and brighter, most of the fixtures and fittings have been replaced and there’s a new audio/visual system. The kitchen has also been vastly improved with a stone-based pizza oven and among the new staff is a talented Italian chef who has been cooking up a storm. “We want everyone to feel welcome here”, said The Red Lion's owner Peter Myers. “It’s interesting to see how the demographic changes; from families with children in the dayt

A campaign to create a second screen and refurbish The Rio Cinema in Dalston has received a £40,000 pledge from The Mayor of London. 'Rio-Generation' has also captured the hearts of celebrities Paloma Faith, Trevor Nelson, Russell Brand, Luke Evans and Director of Baby Driver Edgar Wright – who have all spoken out in support. The donation from The Mayor of London's crowdfunding scheme brings the total raised so far to £72,442 of their £130,000 target, with just 61 days to go. Money raised will fund a first phase of work to create a new cinema screen in the basement and restore the building's exterior. A second phase, which will seek further funding, will create a third screen by 2021 and rep

We’ve been eating our way around Hackney’s pub and restaurant gardens to find you the best outside spots and the yummiest foods this summer. The pretty walled garden of Andi’s in Stoke Newington Church Street is one of our favourites - gorgeous wisteria lines the walls, the floor has gorgeous painted tiles and there’s an outside heater in case the sun goes in. The food, produced by Great British Menu judge Andi Oliver and her business partner Kelly Miles is outstanding – think black quinoa with sautéed greens, grilled shrimp and a pomegranate vinaigrette and, in the evening, beef tartare with egg yolk and Marmite soldiers. Another firm favourite is The People’s Park Tavern in Victoria Park

Great British Menu judge Andi Oliver has voiced her support for a new discount club which encourages people to shop and eat locally. The broadcaster and restaurateur, who recently launched Andi’s restaurant on Stoke Newington Church Street with her business partner Kelly Miles, offers 10% off the bill to members of the Local Buyers Club. She spoke of the value club would bring to community life. “Neighbourhood is hugely important to us”, she said. "One of the reasons we came to Stoke Newington and chose this site is because it felt like a place we could make into a real neighbourhood spot. Joining something like the Local Buyers Club that links up local businesses so we all support each othe

A new membership club encouraging shoppers and diners to support local and independent businesses has just launched in Hackney. The Local Buyers Club, which costs just £12 per year to join, includes a discount card which is accepted at dozens of businesses in Stoke Newington, Dalston, Clapton and Islington and it’s expanding throughout North London. Among the businesses offering discounts of 10% or more are Andi's, The Prince pub, The Red Lion, Stoke Newington Tea House, Green Room Café, N16 Flowers, El Olivo, Il Bacio, Drive Now, Wolf, Rudie’s, Clapton Table, Earlybird Cards, Clapton Craft, Clissold House, Stokey Bears, Push Cycles, Lele's The Rio Cinema, L'Epicerie@56, Bournes Fish, Off Br