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Independents’ Day grows to Independents’ Month

A MONTH long campaign to highlight Independent Businesses in Andover is planned for July.

Andover’s Business Improvement District (BID) company have named July as ‘Independents’ Month’. Shoppers will be encouraged to show their support for independent businesses in Andover town centre.

As part of this special month, the BID-run ‘InAndover’ website will run two events and other initiatives to showcase the mix of businesses within the Andover Town Centre BID area. 

There will be a small selection of market stalls made up of independent business owners, present in the High Street with live music and entertainment on Sunday 4th to start things off.  Then, a finale towards the end of the month on Sunday 25th that will have much more of a fairground feel to it.

There is a digital element of the campaign, but shoppers can also look for the ‘InAndover’ bunting that will be appearing in shops throughout the town centre to remind people to shop local.

Shoppers also have the chance to take advantage of a range of special promotions running in shops, cafes, and restaurants throughout Andover in July, which will be published on social media.

Steve Godwin from the Andover BID said, “Independent businesses in our Town Centre are one of Andover’s great assets. We are fortunate to have over 100 established businesses offering a wide range of products and services crucial to communities and known for their quality and service. The number of independents in town is growing with new businesses realising the potential that the town offers. Local businesses offer a personal customer service, local and product knowledge and individually chosen ranges.

“This year Andover Independents are urging their customers to support them, particularly during the Indie’s month of July.  We hope that our events will shine a light on the amazing businesses we have right on our doorstep, and that residents and visitors to the town will explore and support them. The Andover retail sector has shown great resilience in the face of a very difficult pandemic over the last year, working during times of extreme uncertainty in being there for their customers and the wider Andover community”.

Shelley Coburn, Event Organiser added, “We need to support our independents this year, more than ever, as they look to rebuild following the pandemic. The money spent in local, independent shops makes a real difference to business owners and our local economy, so it would be great if the public could support this campaign and spend in our independents.”

You can find out more information here:  www.inandover.co.uk/town-centre-events/

About the author

David Harber

David Harber is the founder and Managing Director of Love Andover, including the Love Andover Observer newspaper and 95.9FM Andover Radio. He is a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a card carrying member of the Nation Union of Journalists.