SERVICE tailored to customers’ individual needs is the dangling carrot that will persuade them to support independent businesses through the recession, according to one Hampshire greengrocer.

Mark Steward, who manages his family-run fruit and veg store Long’s in Eastleigh’s Market Street, is the latest to give his backing to the Daily Echo’s Buy and Shop Local campaign.

“We have been here for two years and slowly we are seeing business picking up. This campaign can only boost our business more and show people that buying local can be of benefit to them,” he said.

“Here, customers can buy exactly how much or how little they need. Whether they want one carrot or one hundred, we can cater for their needs.

“We are a family-run business and we see our customers returning on a regular basis and they enjoy seeing a familiar face and we enjoy getting to know them.”