A local shopping bag, for local people

Islington residents who pledge to use local shops for at least half their weekly shopping will be sent a rather stylish cloth bag to carry their goodies and promote the scheme. The eco-friendly cotton bag, in a fashionable shade of purple, will help spread the message of sustainable, local shopping.

The bag is part of Islington Council's Shop Local

campaign, which aims to help Islington shops and businesses by encouraging

local shopping.

Islington Council's deputy leader Lucy Watt says: "Islington has

fantastic shops, from great market stalls to hidden local favourites.

We want to do everything we can to help them, especially in these

difficult times.

"Spending money

locally puts money straight into local businesses' pockets - our Shop

Local pledge is a fun way to get people involved."

To get hold of an "I Shop Local" cloth bag, visit this page and click the button to make your shopping pledge. You'll be asked to supply your name, address and postcode. If you prefer, you can call 020 7527 3093.

Other incentives from the Shop Local campaign include two hours' free parking in pay and display bays on Saturdays in Archway town centre until 29 May. A map of the free parking areas can be downloaded here.

Stuck for ideas or not sure where to start shopping? Check out our Business Directory pages, or have a look at Time Out's guide to Islington, published late last year.

Where are your favourite local places to shop? Let us know below!