With the big increases in inflation across the UK, you could be forgiven for thinking that independent shops on your local high street would be the last place to pick up a bargain this Autumn. But you would be surprised!
Over twenty shops and businesses in Kirkcudbright have banded together via the national Totally Locally FIVER FEST scheme to bring special £5 deals to customers old and new. Proving small shops can be great value, but also that they care about the people that live in our town.
“Independent shops are key parts of our community” said Chris Sands of the Totally Locally national campaign. “Not only do they make our high streets and towns better places to live and work, but these businesses also contribute hugely to our local economy. They never take the support they get from local people for granted, and Fiver Fest is a way of paying a little back to those customers.”
“With the economic turmoil that is happening at the moment, it’s more important than ever for local businesses to think and work together” said Julie Hollis of Totally Locally Kirkcudbright, “so Kirkcudbright businesses are putting on lots of great £5 offers to say thank you to our customers, to give back to Kirkcudbright and to support our communities as a whole, whilst keeping our shopping streets alive”.
“Fiver Fest happens three times per year, and it is now a big part of our promotions for Kirkcudbright. So this is a little nudge to say ‘Our local businesses are still here, we are still serving our community and we appreciate your support. And of course we are great value!”.
FIVER FEST is a free to join campaign, devised and run by Totally Locally, a Grass Roots High Street Organisation that has been helping businesses and High Streets to help themselves since 2010 with incredible results.
Fiver Fest is based around the now famous Totally Locally £5 message:
“If every adult in Kirkcudbright spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean £700,000 per year going directly into our local economy. Which can lead to more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy & a nicer place to live. Makes you think doesn’t it?!”
Spending just £5 a week in Kirkcudbright can make a big difference to our high street shops, the “Fiver Fest” promotes this message.
Totally Locally founder Chris Sands said “Up to 100 towns from the North of Scotland to the South coast of England now take in Fiver Fest events on a regular basis. It’s a campaign that sees incredible offers from £5 massages, to £5 veg boxes, £5 walking tours, £5 lunch deals, £5 ghost story-telling, £5 axe-throwing session and even £5 Scottish dance lessons! Independent Business owners are really inventive with their offers, and we encourage them to also promote their neighbouring businesses offers too. Fiver Fest is about everyone working together to promote their town and high street as a whole, instead of individually. If lots of shops have great offers on, the trip to the high street is really worthwhile and fun!
Simon Waldren of Totally Locally said “We’ve seen huge increases in footfall during Fiver Fest times, with many businesses reporting their best shopping days outside of Christmas”.
Julie Hollis said “Fiver Fest shows that a small change in your spending habits can really make a difference to our town. Just by diverting £5 of our weekly spend to local independents we give them a fighting chance to thrive and to keep our shopping streets alive. Fiver Fest makes that easy, and it’s fun!
For any independent business wishing to participate in future Fiver Fests in Kirkcudbright, please contact Julie Hollis at Made on Cloud 9.
Offers in Kirkcudbright are as diverse as a cake and cuppa to an eyebrow wax, with cafes, salons, shops and hotels getting involved.
For further information please see www.totallylocally.org and www.fiverfest.co.uk
