London Drugs offers shelf space to local retailers forced to shut by pandemic

London Drugs is offering shelf space at its stores to smaller businesses that have had to shut their shops during the COVID-19 crisis.

"This is a really hard time for many small businesses, and we are in a unique position in these challenging times where we can really help out," said London Drugs president Clint Mahlman in a release.

The Western Canadian drug store chain is turning its centre aisles in select locations into Local Central, a dedicated space to help local businesses sell their products.

"Whether you sell coffee, local honey or your restaurant's graphic T-shirts, London Drugs is here to help," Mahlman said.

"As an essential service, we are here to help our local small businesses while also providing an opportunity for customers to pick up their favourite local items and support their favourite local companies." 

Small business owners can visit an application site to find out if their products qualify for the program.

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 50 per cent of small businesses in Canada say they are unsure if they will survive in the aftermath of the pandemic.