WINCHESTER BID is launching a new campaign to celebrate independent businesses across the city during National Independent Retailers Month.

In July, the organisation will launch a free updated pocket map showing more than 195 independent shops, services, and food and drink businesses across the city. The #indiewinch map lists all of these businesses across the city centre, providing a tool which can be sued to help navigate Winchester.

The map is specially designed to help residents and visitors discover more businesses that make the city unique. It can be downloaded from the BID website.

Winchester BID has also created a series of short films, a montage of images and radio interviews to showcase what it means to be an independent business in Winchester and why so many businesses choose to call Winchester home.

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This year, the BID are also supporting Hampshire Fair’s inaugural Winchester Food Festival on Sunday, July 9 as part of Hampshire Food Festival month, celebrating local Winchester producers and chefs.

The Winchester Food Festival takes place from 10-4pm outside the Winchester Cathedral and includes a live cookery demonstration kitchen from 12 noon including a variety of BID members including The Chesil Rectory, Shoal, Kyoto Kitchen and Winchester Bakery.

Sarah Davies, Winchester Business Improvement District manager, said: “It’s an indication of how well a city is doing when you notice not just the arrival of new businesses but also the growth and expansion of existing businesses. 

"The independent shops of Winchester continue to grow and flourish in challenging times. They have become more creative offering high quality, value for money, different products as well as first class service.

"The supportive network of over 200 independent businesses in the city centre makes Winchester vibrant, interesting and a special place for residents, visitors, workers and students to enjoy. 

"Our independent food and drink offering stretches across the continents to ensure that all tastes are catered for whilst our independent retailers offer products that are unique to our city.”