New Our Bury St Edmunds video promotes independent shops
Shoppers can look forward to a brand-new promotional video showcasing Bury St Edmunds eclectic mix of independent retailers, which is released this week ahead of Independent’s Day UK.
Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID) has supported the Independent’s Day UK national awareness campaign for 15 years with its own campaign and promotional activity around the two-day Independents Day UK awareness days which this year are on Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5.
The video will be used on the BID’s marketing platforms to encourage shoppers to explore the many indie retailers across the town centre and will be accompanied by a content marketing campaign from today (Monday June 23) to drive people to the Independents Guide on the BID website at www.ourburystedmunds.com/independents/
There are more than 300 independents in Bury St Edmunds town centre and shops and businesses are encouraged to display the BID’s ‘Proud to be an Independent’ window sticker.
Mike Kirkham, the BID’s Business Support Manager, said: “Research has shown that nationally 55% of customers shop at an independent once a week or more and that for every pound spent with a small business over 50% stays in the local economy.
“We are so lucky in Bury to have such a fabulous range of indies throughout the town centre – it’s almost 60% of our businesses and there is one on almost every town centre street. This is complemented as well by all the independent traders who take part in the regular markets.”
Independent shops featured in the video include: Smoking Monkey Antiques, Vinyl Hunter, Pocketwatch and Petticoats, Luna House Boutique, Loft & Spires, Lisa Angel, The Parsley Pot, Ada Baby, Javelin, Trotter and Deane, and Model Junction.
Anne Hawes, owner of Luna House Boutique in Butter Market and 3 Cats Vintage in St John’s Street, commented: “We were delighted to be part of the new promotional video. We’re grateful to be part of such a vibrant independent business community in Bury St Edmunds town centre and proud to be offering a wide range of vintage and preloved pieces to customers of all ages.”
The campaign has also been welcomed by one of the longest established businesses in the town. Menswear and schoolwear specialist Aubyn Davies in St John’s Street was founded in 1906 and is owned today by the founder’s great grandson Richard Poole.
He said: “I’m delighted that independent retailers are given the opportunity to be part of this campaign. Our Bury St Edmunds BID does a great job of promoting the town centre and working together really confirms that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.’ St John’s Street is a lovely community of independent businesses and is often highlighted as a must-visit part of town.”
The Parsley Pot in Abbeygate Street is another of the independent shops featured in the promotional video. Owner Suzanne Cooper added: “It is great to be included in the new promotional video to highlight the huge number of wonderful independent retailers in our beautiful town.”
The Our Bury St Edmunds BID campaign around Independents Day UK runs until Saturday July 5. Find out much more about what the town has to offer by visiting www.ourburystedmunds.com or its social media feeds.
