MANY of us dread this time of year. Unless you're the most organised person on earth and have done your Christmas shopping by Halloween, the sudden realisation that we are only a few weeks from Christmas Day can send us into a flat spin.
Luckily, Berkshire is an area with many independent businesses and shops so it is easy to find local gifts - especially if you think out of the box a little.
But the temptation to sit at home, avoid the hustle and bustle of the high street and order gifts at the click of a button is far too tempting.
New Economics Foundation data shows if you spent £10 in a local shop it is worth up to £50 into the local economy.
A local cafe will probably use a local bakery, local veg shop, local accountant, window cleaner, butcher, electrician to keep it operating.
However, a 'big boy coffee chain' will have a coffee supplier, warehouse, accountant, shop fitter,, in fact almost everything will come from outside your town. So there is no benefit to other businesses there.
The News spoke to a couple of indepedent businesses across Ascot, Bracknell and Wokingham to find out how they survive in the current climate.
Chef and businessman Charlie Blacker owns his own Asian inspired restaurant in Peach Street, battling against restaurant chains and other indepedent eateries in the town.
He explains the measures he goes to to make his Pan restaurant stand out and how he attracts locals to eat there instead.
Mr Blacker said: "Opening a place yourself, you have to do everything. I painted everything, helped build the restaurant up myself and I cook the food myself working 70 hours a week. It's what you have to do because there aren't many small businesses left because they don't put that effort in and everything costs too much if you don't do it yourself."
Since opening his Asian inspired restaurant, business has been 'buzzing' with customers raising the profile on facebook with good reviews.
Charlie thinks this is down to him keeping the menu fresh and his customers "playing a role in the restaurant".
Pan changes its menu based on different areas of Asia, getting locals to try unique food. The layout of the restaurant has also been designed to give customers that authentic Asian experience with floor seating.
He added: "I think people want something more exciting than say Italian food. With that type of cuisine you have to have the fresh produce and you can't really get that here. We want something that is interesting and Asian food offers something different."
However, some businesses may not have done so well as Charlies per say.
Joy Macdonell's Coco Boutique business in South Ascot has been "hit hard" due to six months of road works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Network.
She said: "You cannot operate a business when cars do not pass by. Jobs could also be lost because of this. I am thousands of pounds down and my Christmas trade is wiped.
"Christmas is meant to be the busiest time for us and I am fearing the worst."
Joy has claimed that the roadworks and road closures has made her business lose out on money due to a lack of passing trade, which is what her business relies on.
The idea behind her store is for locals to drive by, see something in her beautifully presented window display and pop in in the hope they will see something they like and purchase something.
However, the indepedent business has had to battle with SSE to get them to put notices around Ascot to say 'Business open as usual' so her shop doesn't suffer anymore than it already has this year.
One indepedent business has decided to go against the odds by channelling their clothing brand online and using social media and marketing to attract customers across the whole country
KIQO started as a new local business and brand ambassador Ash Rowley in Bracknell has helped the brand employ a team of locals in to help build and represent the brand, which includes everyday fitness goers to competing athletes who have gone to win various competitions represent it.
Attracting gym-goers, the brand fits itself with the 'ever-growing fitness industry' which is becoming more and more popular online and social media.
Mr Rowley, ambassador said: "For any new business, it can be slow and can take time, but it all comes down to having a love and passion for your brand and what you are creating and the resilience to face whatever challenges come ahead - and thankfully the family/community built brand is showing that."
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