Bury Free Press BID Column June 2025
What a busy few weeks it’s been – not just with our BID activities where we’ve got a lot of promotions and campaigns underway, but in the town centre generally with the latest footfall figures showing that to the end of May footfall is up by 3.5% compared to last year. This is great news as we are still in challenging times for businesses but more people visiting the town centre is always a positive.
We had some wonderful feedback about our VE Day 80th anniversary commemorative trail – including people telling us that they found shops they didn’t know existed. We will be launching a similar trail to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day over the summer holidays. Once again there will be Town Centre Gift Cards to be won.
This week though, has seen the launch of our two week promotion of our wonderful independent businesses under our ‘Independents Day UK’ campaign. It all builds up to ‘Independents Day’ itself which is celebrated nationally this year over July 4 – 5. It’s something that we have successfully promoted for the last 15 years and I’d encourage you to have a look at our video about supporting our local shops on our website and social media feeds.
While the campaign is mainly about shopping at local independent retailers we have also launched our new Food and Drink Tours this month in partnership with the town’s Tour Guides. We have 12 BID member businesses involved in this and the first tour took place this week. It’s a chance to learn about the town centre’s foodie history with some taster stops at café’s, bars and specialist retailers. With the Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival over the August bank holiday weekend it’s a great reminder of why Bury St Edmunds is Suffolk’s foodie capital.
It’s also been a busy time in the town centre as there’s been plenty of activity around some new businesses that have either opened or are preparing to. Work is underway at the former Gastrono-me on Abbeygate Street as it transforms into PrimaVista and Anagram Audio in Churchgate Street opened last week. There is change too in The Traverse where new salon Bonded by Hair has opened and Sugartown Toys are also coming soon.
Before we know it, it will be the start of the school summer holidays and no doubt there are many parents wondering what to purchase as a gift for teacher at the end of the school year. An Our Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Gift Card could be the answer. It can be spent in over 70 local businesses and can be purchased online or in a number of outlets in the town centre. While we do now offer an e-card version the actual card can still be wrapped as an end-of-term gift. Find out more at www.ourburystedmunds.com.
