Support Independents Day on 4th July

Council press release, copied verbatim

30 June 2014

For immediate release

Bristol celebrates Independents Day - July 4

 

The Bristol Independents Campaign is urging Bristol's shoppers to "shop independently" on July 4th - Bristol Independents Day.

Twenty thousand Bristol Independents Day cards are being distributed around the city, encouraging shoppers to shop independently on July 4th and to discover a range of special offers and surprises in Bristol's independent businesses.

In some shops, these cards can be shown at the till in order to claim an Independents Day discount or special offer.

In other shops you'll need a certain codeword, or to be paying in Bristol Pounds in order to make your claim - details of all of these offers are on the website at www.bristolindependents.co.uk

Elsewhere in the the city, you can find special events, or Bristol-themed delights on the menu for one day only. These offers and events are updated regularly so please keep an eye on the website for the latest information.

How can Bristol shoppers can celebrate Independents Day?

Grabbing a sandwich for lunch or popping out for a coffee? Why not give the chains a miss for a change, and check out an independent sandwich bar, café or takeout.

While you’re there, why not try some local produce? – we all know Cheddar from Cheddar, but what about Somerset Brie, Mendip Halloumi or Bath Blue?

Need to find a birthday present? Why not seek out something more individual from one of Bristol’s many designers, artists and craftspeople?

There are some great quirky stores and pop-up shops around town, where you can buy direct from makers.

Buying something for yourself? Skip the chainstores, and experience the staff expertise of an independent bookstore, record stall or hardware shop. Stand out from the crowd – you’ll find something different in the city’s great independent clothes shops.

Going out for the evening? What about some independent entertainment at an independent cinema, or pub theatre? Why not try a local cider in an independent pub or bar.

Who wants to eat and drink exactly the same things, wherever they go in the country? Celebrate Independents Day by raising a glass of something brewed in Bristol.

Why shop independently?

Bristol's independent retailers keep our high streets alive, diverse, and interesting. They stop Bristol from looking just like everywhere else. They help make Bristol special.

Bristol's independents also help support our local economy. Every pound spent in a local retailer selling local things, puts twice as much money back into the local economy as a pound spent in a national multiple - because local traders tend to use local services supplied by other local traders.

But it is easy to forget the great contribution which Independents make to Bristol - they're always there - till the next big supermarket comes along. 4th July is a reminder to us all to support Bristol's great Independents, and to explore a bit further around the city to discover some other hidden gems.

Bristol's high streets and local shopping areas have changed a lot over the past few years - if you haven't visited them lately, you're likely to be surprised by just how well some of them are flourishing.

Who's involved?

Bristol Independents Day is a joint campaign, involving the Bristol Pound, Bristol City Council, Your Street Gift Cards, City of Bristol College, The Federation of Small Businesses, alongside Bristol Independents.

On the day, some of the participating organisations will be staffing a stall opposite the Hippodrome, where people can come along to find out more about business support for start-ups and existing businesses. (10am-3pm Friday, July 4)

Councillor Gus Hoyt, Assistant Mayor with responsibility for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bristol has an excellent range of independent traders, offering something to everyone, from those who just want something tasty to eat or drink to the casual and serious shopper.

“Independent businesses are the back-bone of the city’s unique rich and diverse character that has seen us named as the best city to live in the UK. Let’s all help to keep it this way and on Independents Day, show our support.”

Ends