The last week in June / first week in July sees Bury St Edmunds celebrate the vast array of independent businesses within the town. Bury St Edmunds is home to a wonderful selection of shops, cafes, restaurants, well-being centres and a variety of professional service companies. With 57% of these being independent businesses this means that Bury has a unique offering. 

Therefore Independents week is designed to celebrate these businesses and highlight how much they contribute to the town by encouraging residents and visitors to support these important traders. Independent businesses offer a more unique and personal approach to their products, staff and customers over national brands and it is proven that money spent in independent businesses is re-circulated into the local economy to a much greater level, which is not the case when purchases are made with national brands.

In addition to the permanent independent shops on offer throughout the town during Independents week, our lovely provisions market; which is full of independent traders will also be in its usual place in the Buttermarket and Cornhill on Wednesday and Saturday.

If you fancy burning some additional calories while shopping this Independents week or indeed throughout the summer, why not take part in the newly launched ‘Retail Therapy’ initiative. Retail Therapy has been designed by Intersport in Whiting Street to coincide with the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign and is designed as a leisurely form of exercise while doing something many enjoy – shopping. The 1.5mile route mapped around the town starts and finishes from Intersport and every Thursday morning at 10am a group of walkers will be setting off on an “Independents Walk” following a route that visits the majority of streets where our independent businesses are located. If you can’t make this group why not take a stroll at your leisure along this route at your own convenience.

For more information and for a copy of the map for Retail Therapy visit IntersportsFacebook page or Intersports website. 

You can even track your walk using the free app mapmyrun and share how you get on with us via Facebook and Twitter. 

During Independents Week you can also enjoy a fantastic range of offers for you and your family and friends. Also, if you are an independent business you can take advantage of reduced accountancy charges from BID member Jacobs Allen. They are offering 30% off of Independent businesses 1st year’s accounting compliance work. If you are interested in taking up this great offer please contact Thady@jacobsallen.co.uk

For more details on Independents week and to see what your favourite independents are doing keep an eye out in local media!