A POP-UP shop will be raising awareness for independent retailers within Winchester.

The shop will be installed by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) as part of its work to promote independent businesses in the city during Independent Retailer Month. 

The campaign runs throughout July and aims to celebrate local, independent retailers. 

On Friday, July 1, Winchester BID will install Independent Street in The Square, a pop-up shop to distribute the latest #indiewinch pocket map and raise awareness about shopping local.

Visitors, residents and businesses are invited to pick up a free pocket map showing more than 190 independent shops, services, and restaurants/cafes across the city.

The map lists all these #indiewinch businesses and can be used to help navigate around the city.

READ MORE: Census 2021: First results show Winchester’s population has grown over past decade

They will also be distributing #indiewinch window stickers to identify the independent businesses and encourage visitors and residents to shop local.

Sarah Davis, Winchester Business Improvement district manager said: “Winchester’s independent businesses have bounced back post-Covid with some reporting better-than-ever sales growth.

"We have seen some exciting new shops, cafes and restaurants opening with owners choosing the vibrant streets of the city, as well as some well-established businesses expanding into larger sites and investing in their businesses.

"Winchester is a nurturing environment for over 200 indie businesses who benefit from the support of each other and make the city’s shopping, eating and drinking experiences so special for locals and visitors alike.”

Martin Smart, owner of Cornflowers Gift Shop, said: “Cornflowers Gift Shop is based in Kingsgate Village in the Heart of the historic City of Winchester where we are surrounded by heritage, with one of the oldest colleges, bookshops, city pubs and historic retailers in the country.

"One of the most valuable benefits of being an independent in Winchester is that we have such a diverse range of businesses providing support for each other and creating a thriving business community.

"Winchester independents provide unrivalled customer service often knowing our customers individually and being able to offer the personal touch and as such creating a unique customer destination set amongst the regular multi nationals found in the city.

"As an independent it gives huge satisfaction to know that the major portion of every penny spent in a Winchester independent is returned to the city and as such making the Winchester Indies the true heart of the city.”

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