I am writing this column shortly after England’s second game in this years World Cup competition, with us still on track to remaining in the competition well into next month. We are all probably aware of the “60 years of hurt” that certainly I have lived through in it’s entirety, referring to the only time England have won the World Cup, which was at Wembley on the 30th July 1966. To celebrate or commemorate (depending on your point of view) this achievement we, at the BID, are launching our summer town centre trail next Saturday in recognition of this tremendous achievement back in 1966, which remains one of the greatest days in this country’s sporting history.
My colleague Jackie, our Events Manager, who organises our trails, felt this diamond jubilee was worthy of recognition and hence our ’66 World Cup trail.
As in previous trails the challenge is to find ten separate items, these are all 1966 world cup related, which will be displayed across the town centre. Three people who find all of the items and submit their entry will win one of three town centre gift cards.
The trail runs until 6th September and so provides free entertainment and an opportunity to visit many of our businesses and runs throughout the school summer holidays.
Pardon the pun but we are kicking off the trail with a human football table being located in Charter Square next Friday and Saturday which is free to use throughout both days and looks like great fun, so please pop along and have a go.
The other thing we are currently celebrating, are our fabulous array of fantastic Independent businesses in the town. As you will no doubt be aware we are promoting the fact that the town is home to so many wonderful high quality and diverse Independent businesses throughout the year but this week and next we are doing so particularly to remind people of what the town has to offer and encouraging people to take stroll down the streets that are off of Abbeygate Street, the Buttermarket and Cornhill.
There are approaching 300 Independent businesses, in our town centre, the vast majority owned by local people and they are so varied in regards of what goods and services they offer. It is a proven fact that a greater proportion of money spent with Independent businesses remains within their respective local economies, than is the case with money spent with national chains.
If every adult who lives in Bury St Edmunds spent just £5 a week with Independent businesses this would total an overall spend of around £10m a year and what a boost this would be for our local economy.
Despite current economic challenges facing our businesses our town centre remains vibrant and I see there is some published analysis stating that the longer England stay in the World Cup, the more money will be spent in hospitality businesses. So come on Harry & Co, for the sake of Bury St Edmunds BID members, keep progressing in the World Cup and bring Football home!
