STANMORE shop owners say they still offer a personalised service for customers which supermarkets and large chains do not provide.

A host of locally run businesses are thriving in Stanmore town centre, providing one-to-one service to encourage customers to come back again and again.

Dharmesh Shah, manager of Natural Health Options, which offers a range of alternative foods, drinks, and medicinal remedies, said: “We have a good range of individual shops in Stanmore specialising in what they are doing.

“We as a business give a personalised service, so when people come in and ask for things, we walked around with them and help them to get what they need.

“Supermarkets won't have the same knowledge we have, and people can walk into a supermarket and might end up buying the wrong product that is completely useless to them.”

Raj Khatri is the owner of Brians Shoes, which is a specialist shoe shop for children.

He said: “This is a nice area, and the advantage is there are good, exclusive shops which people want to come to.

“Business is so far so good but we don't know what is going to happen next.”

Other businesses along the high street include Hob Salons, which boasts British Hairdresser of the Year Akin Konizi among its staff, the Crazy Horse pub which offers quality entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere, and a host of boutiques, restaurants, and locally run shops.

The Harrow Times is campaigning with Harrow Council to encourage residents to shop locally and help Harrow's economy survive.

Councillor David Ashton, leader of Harrow Council, said: "Stanmore has a great variety of shops and places to visit, from libraries to luggage shops and pizzas to pubs."

A meeting is being held tomorrow at Avanta in Harrow town centre, where representatives from Business Link London will be on hand to give tips and advice to local business people to help them ride out the recession.

The meeting is being organised by the Harrow town centre Business Improvement District (BID), which has been set up by the council to help local firms. Anyone interested in attending can call 0208 736 6535.