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 Independent Business Month and #IndieWinch businesses across Winchester.
From Monday 1 July, the latest FREE #IndieWinch Pocket Map will be available to help raise awareness about ‘shopping local’ and ‘supporting local’ in Winchester. The maps are available from local 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 help to identify independent businesses from their window frontage and encourage residents and visitors to shop local.
To celebrate the month, Winchester BID has created a series of short films, a montage of reels for social media and radio interviews with Winchester Radio to showcase what it means to be an independent business and why so many businesses choose to call Winchester home. Keep a lookout on social media for the faces behind your local independent businesses.
We are also proud to support the return of Hampshire Fare’s Winchester Food Festival on Sunday 14 July, in the picturesque Outer Close of Winchester Cathedral, to celebrate local Winchester producers and chefs. Winchester Food Festival takes place from 10am to 5pm outside Winchester Cathedral and includes a live cookery demonstration kitchen from 12 noon.
New this year, Winchester Food Festival will be proceeded by a week-long programme of events from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 July under the umbrella ‘A Taste Of Winchester‘ which sees Hampshire Fare and Winchester City Council encouraging businesses to get involved.
Suzy Dierckx, Winchester BID Marketing Manager, said:
“We always look forward to July and celebrating the independent businesses across the city for Independent Business Month. Winchester is lucky to have such a supportive network of more than 190 independent businesses making it a unique, vibrant, interesting and special place for residents, visitors, workers and students to enjoy. Each business needs your support to thrive so thank you for continuing to champion ‘local’ across the city.”
Paul Spencer, Winchester BID Executive Director, said:
“We are very excited for Independent Business Month this July and also Winchester BID is thrilled once again to support the Winchester Food Festival, working with our friends at Hampshire Fare and Winchester Cathedral. Winchester is a haven for food enthusiasts, and 14 July will be a feast for them. We look forward to seeing our members working together in A Taste of Winchester too which is supported by Winchester City Council in the lead up to the day of the festival from 8 to 13 July.”
Donna Laine, Owner Donna Laine Fine Jewellery, said:
“We at Donna Laine Fine Jewellery are honoured to have been recently awarded Business Leader 2024 and Business of the Year 2024. These accolades mean the world to us, especially as an independent retailer in the heart of Winchester. We couldn’t have achieved this without the unwavering support of our incredible customers and community. Your loyalty and love for our handcrafted pieces inspire us every day. We are so proud of our team, they work so hard to bring you the best. Thank you to Winchester BID as well who do such an amazing job for all the independents in Winchester. It’s great to have an award that independents can enter and showcase their achievements.”
If you run an independent business in Winchester, and have any special promotions or events planned, then please keep us informed by tagging @WinchesterBID and use the #IndieWinch hashtag on your social media posts. Keep up to date with the Independent Business Month activity by following Winchester BID’s social media channels @WinchesterBID on Facebook, Instagram and X (formally Twitter) and by following the #IndieWinch hashtag for further updates.
