With quicker and more reliable transport links, increased car ownership, and the internet giving us the world at the click of a mouse, options for shopping have never been eaisier and more widespread.

While increased choice does of course make for better competition and a more favourable deal for the consumer, all this progress doesn’t necessarily signal good news for the smaller retailer.

That is why local shopkeeper Sarah Lyles is flying the flag for Independent Retailer Month and doing her bit to encourage people to spend their money in local shops wherever possible.

With High Streets across the country becoming increasingly homogenous as store chains and national franchises take up the bulk of retail units, Ilkley is something special thanks to the huge number of independent retailers, boutique stores and one-off shops it is home to.

The old adage of “use it, or lose it” is never more apt than when talking about independent shops such as we have a wealth of in Ilkley. Small retailers do not have the benefit of a huge corporation behind them to spread out overheads and see them through fallow periods of low consumer spending.

This is why the campaign being promoted by Sarah and many other small retailers in Ilkley is a great one, and something we can all get behind.

The plea to shoppers is to buy just one - but more if you can - item from an independent retailer today - appropriately enough, Independence Day as celebrated by our American cousins.

You never know, you might like what you see, and your custom will help our diverse and colourful range of shops survive and help continue to make Ilkley what it is.

It is thanks in no part to this eclectic and often unique collection of shops that Ilkley is the popular destination that it is for both people who live in the surrounding area and tourist trips.

Lessons in kindness from Ilkley lad aged six 

The sight of homeless people sleeping on the streets and having to beg for money in our neighbouring cities is, unfortunately, something that those of us who regularly visit for work or shopping sometimes become immune to.

And sometimes it takes the fresh eyes of a child to remind us that it is not a very good state of affairs when people are forced – for whatever reason – to seek shelter where they can.

At the tender age of six, Jack Preston was shocked to see people begging on the streets of Leeds. And with the typical can-do attitude of children, he decided to do something about it.

So Jack is going to climb Yorkshire’s Three Peaks – an astonishing feat in itself, for one so young – to raise money for a charity that supports the homeless.

We can perhaps all learn a lesson from young Jack. Just because we get used to seeing something, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t remind ourselves that it isn’t necessarily right. And another valuable lesson we can learn from him – you can do something about it if you want.

We might not all have Jack’s energy to set off climbing the Three Peaks, but by sponsoring him we can support him.