Enterprising traders in Ottery are being urged to take part in an initiative to attract shoppers into the town and generate valuable income for businesses recovering after lockdown.
The plan is to run a Fiver Fest event, which would see Ottery residents supporting their local independent shops and celebrating the town’s community spirit and unique character.
For their part, Ottery’s traders who take part will give back to the community by offering special £5 promotions in store.
The Ottery Fiver Fest, run with the support of the Totally Locally initiative, which supports small communities work together to enhance local prosperity.
In an appeal to the town’s businesses, councillor Dean Stewart said: “We would like to run this slightly later than the national campaign, to lead into the Clean Up Weekend of July 3 and 4.
“Will you join us? All you have to do is have a hero product that you can sell for £5 and attract people into your shop.
“We will handle the social media and newspaper marketing for you. We will print off posters for your window. Let’s celebrate Ottery’s independent retailers!”
Joining in with Fiver Fest is free. All the organisers ask is that traders see the event as not just promoting their own business, but promoting all the independent businesses in Ottery.
During lockdown, Ottery businesses came to the fore, showing what a pivotal role they play in the wellbeing of the community.
Fiver Fest is a chance for independent businesses to use their collective power to encourage people back to Ottery town centre, to say thank you to customers who supported them during lockdown, and to prove again that small enterprises can compete with the retail giants.
One of the Fiver Fest slogans is “Shop like your high street depends on it – because it does!” Just £5 per week spent at local independents in Ottery by local residents could bring hundreds of thousands of pounds into the local economy.