TODAY The Gazette is backing Basingstoke Together's I Buy Basingstoke campaign as we call on the community to get behind local businesses.

In conjunction with the launch of our Love Local Business campaign, The Gazette aims to champion everyone from sole traders to major employers as lockdown restrictions are eased and life gets back to some kind of normal over the weeks ahead.

Please join us in supporting those businesses that provide livelihoods for Basingstoke families, contribute through their business rates to community services, and help make our town centres the vibrant places we love so much.

We are asking you to spend your money in local shops whenever you can, and sing the praises of local businesses to family and friends, and on social media.

On our part we will be banging the drum loudly and proudly for them at every opportunity using the #IBuyBasingstoke hashtag.

To showcase your business, email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk.

James Hood, for Basingstoke Together, said: "As the country progresses to the next step of unlock, Basingstoke Together, the town centre’s business improvement district, are aiming to get consumers back to the high street and show their support for the town's local businesses. The campaign called “I Buy Basingstoke” will showcase a range of small and independent companies, what they can offer and shine a light on the people behind them.

They continued: "As part of the campaign, videos will be created and released on social media to highlight the businesses, their products and why the public should support them. Basingstoke residents will be encouraged to show their support by adding the “I Buy Basingstoke” sticker to their social media profiles demonstrating to friends and family their dedication to supporting local businesses in the coming months.

The campaign will also feature interviews with business owners and workers and shine a spotlight on the charitable work they undertook throughout the lockdown. With many businesses quietly donating food, PPE or offering support to those shielding, it’s time to have their stories of selflessness shared.

Hoping to build on the increasing noise and keyboard calls to shop locally throughout lockdown, Basingstoke Together is asking the town's residents to stay true to their word and not abandon this trend as quickly as some others in our fast-paced social media world.

James continued: "Although keen to get shoppers back to the town and safely shopping again, Basingstoke Together understands that not everyone is ready to return just yet. That is why part of the campaign will also feature ways we can support local businesses from the comfort of our own homes. Initiatives will include shopping online, paying it forward or leaving positive online reviews and sharing content from your favourite local businesses."

Jane Stewart, chief executive of Basingstoke Together, said : "Basingstoke town centre is fortunate to have a vibrant mix of independent businesses. These businesses need our support now more than ever.

"It has always been tough to run a small business and the pressures of the last few months have only amplified this.’ Said Jane Stewart, Chief Executive of Basingstoke Together, ‘Nevertheless, we saw our small businesses rally throughout the lockdown and provide food or supplies to those in need or helping to fight the virus. We feel that we should show our appreciation as we take our first steps back to near normal. We are asking our residents to support their town centre businesses and demonstrate they buy Basingstoke!’

Keep across the campaign by visiting www.basingstoketogether.co.uk and following @inbasingstoke across social media.