LOCAL MPS have thrown their weight behind the Halesowen & Dudley News' Love Local Business campaign with a rallying cry to get the "Black Country engine fired-up again"!

We launched the campaign last week to support local businesses as they emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

Many local businesses, including shops, have now reopened but others such as hairdressers and gyms are still prevented from opening their doors.

Even those that have remained open throughout lockdown have seen a significant loss in income.

James Morris, MP for Halesowen, said: "I am really pleased to support Halesowen News's Love Local Business campaign. The last few months have been an uncertain time for many independent traders, but now that restrictions are starting to lift it's important we shop local and get our high streets flourishing again."

And Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, said: "I really couldn’t be more pleased to back the Dudley News’ campaign to ‘Love Local Business’.

"I have long called on people to support local businesses here in Dudley and more broadly across the Black Country – but this is now more important than ever, because without a recovery of our local economy, there can be no wider recovery.

"I very much hope this campaign will stir the support which our local businesses need, and I will look forward to working with the Dudley News and local businesses in any way I can.

"Let’s support our businesses and get the Black Country engine fired-up again!”

As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Halesowen & Dudley News reaches a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands including print publications, record online audiences and social media channels.

Halesowen & Dudley News editor Stephanie Preece said: "This is a crucial time for local businesses as they try to recover from the impact of the lockdown which, for many, has seen them without any income for more than two months.

"It is therefore fantastic to have the support of our local MPs as we launch this campaign to try and support out great local, independent businesses.

“In the coming months we will be promoting these businesses in our newspaper, on our website and our social media channels,to help spread the message that they are open and highlight why they are so valuable to this community.

“I urge all of our readers to show that they love local business by supporting them.”

Any business which wants to be featured in the News Group campaign, call 01905742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.