Alnwick to repeat Fiver Fest to encourage more shoppers to support independent traders

A campaign encouraging shoppers to support independent retailers in Alnwick is to be repeated, despite mixed results.
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Thirty five independent shops and businesses from the town signed up to Fiver Fest, a nationwide initiative designed to boost trade at a traditionally quiet time of the year.

Alnwick Chamber of Trade supported the initiative after the campaign was flagged up by Jasmine Pentleton from The Farm Bakery.

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“The results have been quite mixed but we only found out about it at short notice,” revealed Lisa Aynsley, Chamber of Trade chairman at a meeting in the Masonic Hall.

Lisa Aynsley, chairman of Alnwick Chamber of Trade. Picture by Jane ColtmanLisa Aynsley, chairman of Alnwick Chamber of Trade. Picture by Jane Coltman
Lisa Aynsley, chairman of Alnwick Chamber of Trade. Picture by Jane Coltman

Traders believe it is worth repeating the initiative in the autumn and, with better preparation, are confident it will be a success.

“This time around the idea was just to run with it and see what we could achieve,” said Lisa.

“We will seek feedback from those who took part and put a proposal to Northumberland County Council for its winter festival fund.”

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It is envisaged a repeat Fiver Fest could coincide with Halloween-themed events planned for the town in October.

Lisa added: “Who knows what we can do next time with extra planning and hopefully some extra funding?”

The Fiver Fest initiative asks participants to put on special £5 offers over two weeks, to show the diversity and value of what they sell.

Coun Martin Swinbank said: “Driving that message to get people to spend money locally is really important.”

Around 100 towns took part in the latest event, with Alnwick the most northerly.