Royston celebrates businesses with Independents Week

The week-long campaign took place from July 3 to July 9, and was organised by Royston First BID, and saw Mayor of Royston Cllr Lisa Adams and town crier Graham Pfaff join BID manager Paul Brown to visit independent businesses and encourage the wider community to shop local.

Bow Books in Angel Pavement celebrated Independents Week (Image: Clive Porter)

They met at the council offices and stopped off at various businesses for photographs.

The group was joined by deputy mayor Cllr John Rees and Cllr Rob Inwood as they called in at the town centre's diverse independent retailers - some of which, such as Bow Books in Angel Pavement, had only opened recently.

Bloom in Royston was celebrated for Independents Week (Image: Clive Porter)

Paul Bowes, owner of Bow Books, which is the town's first bookshop in 30 years, said: "I am delighted to play a small new role in helping highlighting the way that independents make a town special, indeed unique!"

News, offers and events were shared throughout the week on Royston First's social media, and the town's website Roystontown.org launched a feature to include a directory of independent businesses.

Kelly's Kitchen in Royston (Image: Clive Porter)

The campaign aimed to shed a light on independent shops, eateries, wellbeing and professional service companies in Royston.

BID manager Paul Brown said: "It’s been a challenging time for independent businesses and the current cost of living increases haven’t made it any easier for them.

Eddy's Game Corner in Royston (Image: Clive Porter)

"So, the week of the July 4 was the perfect opportunity to remind people how important independent local businesses are to the health and resilience of Royston.

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"I would like to thank all the businesses who took part, the town Mayor, Cllr Lisa Adams, and our town crier, Graham Pfaff, for joining us, and the wider community for supporting our independents by shopping local."

The Independents Week group at Mend My Phone in Royston (Image: Clive Porter)

This was the first time Royston BID had organised Independents Week. The BID was established to attract more retailers and tourism, while improving the progress of the town centre and industrial area.

Independents Week is a national not-for-profit campaign which is celebrated annually to make the public aware of the need to support local business.

The group visited Birch's Café in Royston for Independents Week (Image: Clive Porter)

The Independents Week group at King James Pub (Image: Clive Porter)