Thanet independent businesses are getting ready to take part in Fiver Fest, running from October 9-23.
The aim is for independent businesses to use their collective power to encourage people back to our town centres, to say thank you to customers who supported them during the testing times of covid restrictions and to prove that the small guys can compete with the online giants and the supermarkets.
Fiver Fest, part of the Totally Locally campaign, also highlights the contribution made to the isle economy through shopping local.
It is estimated that if every adult in Thanet spent £5 per week in local independent shops and businesses it would pump £29.6million into the isle economy. The knock-on effects of this would be increased local jobs and more vibrant high streets.
Fiver Fests are being run in Westgate, Birchington, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, and a local organiser is sought for Margate. If you are interested in volunteering for this role contact the admin of the margate.its happening page on Facebook.
Westgate-on-Sea’s independent traders held a meeting this week (pictured above) and are now busy planning lots of special shopping offers, which will be available to local residents and visitors to the town.
Westgate’s new team of Totally Locally volunteers say local grocers, bakers and cake-makers, gift and card shops, art galleries, electricians, bookshops, printers, hairdressers, newsagents, cafés and bars are just a few of the businesses who will be participating in Fiver Fest. They have also set up a Shop Local Westgate-on-Sea page on Facebook to promote the offers and are inviting Westgate’s locals to join and find out more about what their high streets’ traders and the Totally Locally volunteers are planning over the next few months.
The idea is for businesses to offer £5 bargains.
Thanet council will also be promoting Fiver Fest and has funded posters and is urging traders to use Totally Locally and Fiver Fest hashtags.
Find Totally Locally/Fiver Fest pages for Thanet towns on facebook
thats all well and good , but half of the shops have not got what you are looking for anyway , and a lot of the ” corner shops ” are double the price of what they are online or in a larger store, then factor in the car parking charges , and having to walk past dossers and tramps in doorways.
Not many dossers and tramps in the doorways of Westgate and Birchington thankfully.
Unlike ‘real world’ I admire all businesses which do something to try and increase sales. And there are plenty of streets with free parking within walking distance of all our town centres – just many are too lazy to walk 15 minutes! And as you “walk past dossers and tramps in doorways” just be thankful that is not you. I will certainly try and spend at least £5 with this initiative if it will help our local economy.
I agree with your opinion completely Jane. Well said!
Local shops only need a van man to re-stock. Supermarkets need lorry drivers. Go local!
Car parking is too expensive in Broadstairs.
Use your feet
It is a shame the council don’t support shopping locally as the parking charges just double constantly and parking meters stretch further out. It’s all well and good telling people to walk, which many do, when they don’t need to buy very much,but what happens when you have a baby and a toddler and have to carry more than one shopping bag. Or an older person, no offense intended, who needs to buy heavier items, such as paint? Or a parent with a 5yr old, attempting to carry shopping bags and keep them safe while crossing the road? That is, I am assuming, businesses would like people to buy things!!? The council needs to start supporting businesses by encouraging shoppers to the high streets with reasonable parking fees, especially for those who are not within walking distance or physically able to carry various items and negotiate other obstacles.