Tomorrow’s Unchained event, organised by the Our Future is Local (OFIL) committee, urges shoppers to boycott chain stores and spend money exclusively at locally-owned businesses.

But while he applauded organisers for the initiative, chamber president Craig Tilston said the main push should simply be to get shoppers spending locally, regardless of where stores are owned.

“Local chain stores employ local people who on-spend their wages locally at other stores,” Mr Tilston said.

“The business still stays in Griffith and that’s what’s important in the current climate.

“Chamber has members that are both locally-owned and part of a chain and we would encourage everyone to simply shop within Griffith.”

OFIL chairman Paul Pierotti remains unapologetic about the event, pointing to figures claiming every dollar spent at a locally-owned store circulates three times more through the local economy.

“This day is all about making people aware of what the long-term benefits to the community of buying local are,” Mr Pierotti said.

OFIL members will be manning the kiosk on Banna Avenue from 9am to 1pm, handing out material and answering questions about the event.

Mr Pierotti has encouraged local businesses to stay open until 4pm to mark the occasion.