Independent Retailer Month is a global ‘Shop Local’ campaign that runs throughout the month of July to celebrate local, independent retailers in the communities they serve. To support this, Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) recognises the city’s unique selection of independent businesses by promoting #IndieWinch businesses across Winchester.
From Monday 3 July, the latest FREE #IndieWinch Pocket Map will be available to help raise awareness about ‘shopping local’ in Winchester. The maps are distributed to local Hampshire hotels, independent businesses, the Visitor Information Centre, The Arc, Winchester City Museum and the local park and rides. Visitors, residents and businesses are invited to use the FREE pocket map which shows over 190 independent shops, services, restaurants and cafes across the city centre. The pocket map conveniently lists all these #IndieWinch businesses and can be used to help navigate around the city.
Look out for the #IndieWinch window stickers too which helps to identify independent businesses from their window frontage and encourage visitors and residents to shop local.
To celebrate the month, Winchester BID has created a series of short films, a montage of images and radio interviews to showcase what it means to be an independent business in Winchester and why so many businesses choose to call Winchester home. Keep a lookout on social media for the faces behind your local independent businesses.
This year, we are proud to support Hampshire Fare’s inaugural Winchester Food Festival on Sunday 9 July as part of Hampshire Food Festival month, celebrating local Winchester producers and chefs. The Winchester Food Festival takes place from 10am to 4pm outside Winchester Cathedral and includes a live cookery demonstration kitchen from 12 noon.
Sarah Davis, Winchester Business Improvement District Manager said:
“It’s an indication of how well a city is doing when you notice not just the arrival of new businesses but also the growth and expansion of existing businesses. The independent shops of Winchester continue to grow and flourish in challenging times. They have become more creative offering high quality, value for money, different products as well as first class service.
The supportive network of 200 independent businesses in the city centre makes Winchester vibrant, interesting and a special place for residents, visitors, workers and students to enjoy. Our independent food and drink offering stretches across the continents to ensure that all tastes are catered for whilst our independent retailers offer products that are unique to our city.”
The team at Basil Leaf Deli on St Georges Street said:
“Basil Leaf Deli is unique! We strive to sell goods that can’t be sourced in a supermarket to our lovely local customers, from all around Europe. In 2023 we are expanding and moving to another property where we will offer small events, a bistro and new deli with ample seating inside. We love being an independent business in Winchester and enjoy the community support for our business’”
If you run an independent business in Winchester, and have any special promotions or events planned, then keep Winchester BID informed by using the #IndieWinch hashtag on social media posts to tell us a bit more about yourself. Keep up to date with the Independent Business Month activity by following Winchester BID’s social media channels @WinchesterBID on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and by following the #IndieWinch hashtag for further updates.
