Over the next fortnight, Ruddington residents and visitors will have an extra incentive to visit our village centre, with many local traders, such as Philo’s Deli & Gift Shop (above), offering selected products and services for just £5.
It’s a national initiative run by ‘Totally Locally’ – a grass roots organisation which has been helping businesses and High Streets to help themselves since 2009. ‘Fiver Fest’ happens for two weeks from Saturday 9th October when thousands of independent local businesses come together to highlight their contribution to the ‘Great British High Street’.
Mark Pinks from Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP) says: “The village first took part in ‘Fiver Fest’ in February last year, and it’s now a big part of our promotions for Ruddington. The independent shops and businesses are what makes Ruddington special and unique. The community support for local businesses has been amazing during lockdown, so these offers are to say thank you to customers, and to highlight the great value and economic impact of shopping locally.”
Fiver Fest is based around the now famous Totally Locally £5 message: “If every adult in Ruddington spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean £1.4 million per year going directly into our local economy – which can lead to more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy and a nicer place to live. Makes you think, doesn’t it?!”
Independent Ruddington businesses participating in ‘Fiver Fest’ this time include The Bottle Top, The Split Screen Coffee Company, Philo’s Espresso Bar, Perkins Hardware, Elms Farm Butchers, Phoenix Flowers, The Pet Pantry, Morton’s Cafe, The Old Bakehouse Tearoom, The Frame Breakers, The White Horse Inn, Ruddington Post Office, David Richards Jewellers and Ruddington-based Lacey’s Lovely Crafts – well known for their regular Village Market stall.
You can check out @totallylocalrudd on Facebook or on Instagram for details of all their £5 offers.
“We know ‘Fiver Fest’ isn’t going to change the world” says Chris Sands of Totally Locally “but small changes in spending habits can really make a difference to our high streets. Just by diverting £5 of our weekly spend to local independents we give them a fighting chance to thrive. The pandemic has shown just what an amazing contribution they make to our local communities. It’s a conversation worth having!”
He adds: “It is for this reason, that the sixth National Fiver Fest is taking place. This time it’s even more important than ever, after how our world has changed during 2021. YouGov research has shown that 59% of shoppers have used more local shops to support them during lockdown. And they want to keep on supporting them. Fiver Fest makes that even easier.”
Ruddington’s ‘Fiver Fest’ £5 offers run from Saturday 9th to Saturday 23rd October 2021 inclusive.
