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Haverhill resident Gill Payne scooped a prize of £100 to spend with a local business during thebestof Haverhill’s Buy Local campaign recently.

Gill, an auditor at HMP Highpoint, pledged her support to the Buy Local campaign by leaving a review for a local business and was entered into the national daily prize draw to win £100 to spend with a bestof business member.

Gill’s winning recommendation was for Quick Service Shoe Repairs in Queen Street and stated: “This is a family-run shop mending shoes, selling shoe accessories, trophies and engraving.

"The service is top quality and you can always be assured that trophies and engraving will be correct first time. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone.”

The prize of £100 has to be spent with a bestof Haverhill business member and Gill has decided upon Tony Strowger Jewellers in the High Street.

Gill said: “I was happy to support the Buy Local campaign. I try to support the businesses in town wherever possible. Haverhill isn’t really a destination that people choose to come to and shop so it’s important that local people at least do their bit to support the retailers and businesses in town.

"I was surprised to win but really pleased to have £100 to spend at one of my favourite shops – Tony Strowger Jewellers!”

The bestof Buy Local campaign took place during the first week of June and encouraged people across the country to consider where they were spending their money and promoted the benefits of buying locally.

People were asked to pledge their support to the campaign by completing a review for a local business. HMP Highpoint supported the campaign locally with business and community engagement manager Lisa Haworth leading the promotion of the campaign with staff at the prison.

Lisa displayed posters and distributed flyers, Buy Local bags and stickers to encourage people to get involved.

Tony Strowger said: “We were 100 per cent behind the Buy Local campaign and felt it was a great initiative. Anything that raises the profile of local businesses can only be a positive.

"Our business faces the challenges of people buying on the Internet and going elsewhere because they don’t even consider that they could get the jewellery they want in town.

"We have an extensive range of designer brands to suits all budgets – the same brands that you can buy in Cambridge and Bury but without the hassle and expense of travelling and parking there.

"I also create custom pieces from wedding rings to necklaces – at far more competitive prices than you can find elsewhere.

"I am delighted that Gill has chosen to spend her prize with us, she is a valued customer and a true supporter of local businesses.”

Buy Local is an ongoing campaign with local people still able to pledge their support for local companies by going to www.thebestof.co.uk/haverhill.