Food miles, Fairtrade, carbon footprints, plastic bags and ethical trading are all issues that have come to the fore in the last couple of years.

The loss of a business has more impact than just the loss of a convenience. It affects the look and feel of a village, impacts on the community in general and can, for those without access to transport, make getting life's essentials very difficult.

However you feel about the above if you use our local businesses you will be helping the rural economy and making sure that services survive and are there when you need them.

Apart from helping local businesses and people find them we're also going to try to help explain some of the everyday but never the less confusing elements of finance in the Money Maze.