Shropshire people must pull together to help get through the economic downturn and ensure as much money as possible is spent in the county rather than further afield, it was claimed today.

Charles Armstrong, a Shrewsbury and Atcham borough councillor, made the claims a day after calls were made for a £50,000 rescue package to be made available to support businesses in Shrewsbury.

Business leaders today backed the calls, vowing that businesses that can survive the difficult time will find light at the end of the tunnel in six or 12 months time.

Judith Williams, a borough councillor in Shrewsbury, called for the help to be provided in an urgent motion she is hoping will be heard by a meeting of full full council on Monday.

The cash could be used on initiatives to encourage people into the town, helping to support businesses and preventing any more closures.

Councillor Armstrong, who will second the motion if it goes before the council, said: “I think it’s important we all pull together now.

“We’ve got to start looking after each other and if we are going to spend money let’s give our local traders first shout. Let’s keep the money in the county and help each other.”

Simon Airey, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said he welcomed the calls for the support.

He said: “I think this is a wonderful idea and the business chamber would support this in theory, depending on what the money is going to go to. The suggestion could be that the money is used as a budget for the Shop in the Loop campaign, which is already up and running.

“I think small businesses in Shrewsbury will probably fare better than other towns in the country because of the specialist nature of the businesses.

“However, things are going to be tough. I would encourage everybody to be optimistic and trade to your strengths. If you can survive this period of difficult trading, six months or 12 months down the line we will have a different complexion on it.”

Council leader Peter Nutting said he could not get too involved in the debate as he owned a business in the town centre and would have to declare an interest.

But he said: “Anything that the council can do to keep the financial viability of the town alive is welcome.”