Bury Free Press BID Column May 2026
Wow what a wonderful weekend we have just enjoyed. The weather at our Spring Fayre, was baking hot and even too hot in the afternoon for some on our beach but many enjoyed the Punch & Judy shows. The family entertainment activities in the arc shopping centre were a big hit too. The stalls on Angel Hill and in the Buttermarket were busy and there was a fabulous array of flowers and shrubs.
This two day event is a tremendous way to promote our town and attract additional visitors, for the benefit of our town centre businesses and the traders at the event. Full speed ahead now for our Food and Drink Festival at the end of August!
There are just a few more days left to complete our town centre Out of this World Astronomy Trail, which finishes on Sunday. It has proven to be very popular with both businesses and participants alike.
Due to its success and that of the two trails we organised last year, to commemorate VE & VJ Day, we will be organising a summer trail, which will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of England winning the World Cup in 1966, so watch this space for more details about this trail which starts in early July.
This year the County Suffolk Day celebrations will be focussed upon our town, where there will be activities, during the day on Angel Hill and in the Abbey Gardens on Sunday 21st June. In the late afternoon there will be some formalities outside the Athenaeum plus the recipients of Suffolk medals will be presented with this recognition of their contribution to the County. In the evening there is a celebration concert in the Cathedral. For further information please visit https://burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/suffolk-day
The 21st June is also Fathers’ Day and if you are stuck for a gift for your Dad, don’t forget that the Our Bury St Edmunds Gift card is a great way to show your appreciation and is accepted in over 80 town centre businesses. The physical card and e-card can be ordered online or picked up from one of a number of local businesses. Just visit the Our Bury St Edmunds website for all the information you require.
You may have seen some new businesses springing up around town such as Toast, in the Cornhill and the Burnt Mill Brewery tap room at the bottom of St John’s Street but be assured there will be others appearing soon and this demonstrates how positively outside businesses see our town centre and want to have a presence here. This is the reason why the level of vacant retail units is so low, currently it sits at just over 5%, whereas the national average is over 12%. One of the many reasons that Bury continues to thrive, as a town centre, is the level of support provided by local residents and long may this continue.
What we do as an organisation is to raise the profile of the town nationally, as a visitor destination, therefore attracting tourism visitors to the town to supplement the local trade. Tourists visit places with a positive mindset regarding spending money and this additional spend contributes to the survival of our local businesses, thereby ensuring that the town centre offering in Bury St Edmunds continues to be one of high quality and diversity.
