Alnwick shopkeeper helps to deliver Visa's ‘Where You Shop Matters’ Christmas message

Lisa Aynsley, who owns menswear boutique Hotspur 1364, produced a copycat video of last year’s Visa Christmas ad with a rendition of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’.

Bosses at Visa were so impressed that they are encouraging others to follow suit with the winner earning a slot on primetime television – and now Lisa has made her own video!

She explains: “Last year Visa ran an awesome Christmas ad campaign which over 94 per cent of the UK saw. It featured 107 independent businesses bringing fame to people like me on the high street.

“Last year I earned my nickname, Copycat Lisa, by channelling my inner diva across all of our social media networks. This turned a historically really tough trading time into a fantastic one, resulting in a 30 per cent uplift in our sales.

“This year Visa are going even bigger with their Christmas campaign with a focus on ‘Where You Shop Matters’ and they are really keen to get you guys involved.”

She is encouraging people to share this year’s advert – and the message it conveys – in any way possible.

“If you fancy you could sing along to this year’s ad using the karaoke lens on Snapchat or you could do what I did last year and make your own copycat film,” she added. “It was really good fun.”

Lisa, who recently moved her shop from Narrowgate to Fenkle Street, also manages to inject some of her infectious personality into the video.

However, there is also a serious message in encouraging people to support their local retailers.

Lisa, who is chairman of Alnwick Chamber of Trade, said: “Our trade is dependent on local people supporting local independent businesses so come on everybody, let’s make a real difference this year. Let’s get everyone to show the high street some love this Christmas and spread the word that where you shop matters.”

The Visa advert features 13 real shopkeepers – including a bookseller , greengrocer, antique dealer and café owner - singing Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’, and urging shoppers to show their local high street some love this Christmas.The campaign invites all independent retailers in the UK to recreate Visa’s Christmas advert and show why ‘Where You Shop Matters’ to them.

To enter, visit www.visa.co.uk/whereyoushopmatterscompetition before December 1. Don’t forget to share your entry on Twitter and Instagram channels tagging @VisaUK and #WhereYouShopMatters.