CROYDON Council has been blasted by small businesses for apparently suggesting that people should save money by shopping at big stores.
The council's quarterly magazine, Your Croydon, included the contradictory message as part of its money-saving guide.
The line, on page 9 of the December issue, reads: "Remember, lots of trips to a small local shop may be more expensive than one bigger shop."
Jeremy Frost, Croydon branch chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was indicative of the council's attitude towards independent traders.
Mr Frost said: "That one line shows why I have been banging on about the fact the council doesn't understand small businesses. They just don't seem to get it.
"They're telling people to go to big multi-national companies and obviously that is not what I believe in."
Other money-saving tips in the piece include hand-making Christmas gifts and sticking to a budget.
But it was the line about small businesses that infuriated Sunny Patel, owner of Goods News newsagent in Purley.
He said: "It's a joke. It's completely diabolical. The council just wants rid of us and just wants to look after the big boys. Business is very slow, even though it's Christmas.
"I think people should realise that if they don't use their local shop then we will end up closing down. The supermarkets may be able to charge cheaper prices now but if we all close down you'll see those prices rocket up."
Mr Patel also said that customers should not forget the level of service and perks of using local businesses.
He said: "We let people off the odd penny here and there but it adds up. With regular customers we run small tabs so if people don't have any money in their pocket one day, then we'll let them off that 50p towards their pack of fags or a pint of milk until they get paid.
"Do Tesco or anyone else let customers do that? Of course they don't. But the council seems to be obsessed with helping them."
A council spokesman said the line was "open to interpretation" and that the council remains committed to helping small businesses.
