Retailers celebrate their Independents’ Day

Julieanne Potter, of Bistro 47 in Lurgan, serves Bernadine McPolin during Independents Day on Saturday (4th July).

Local shoppers were able to avail of a range of attractive promotions offered by independent traders throughout the day as well as enjoy the family fun activities organised as part of the initiative.

Independents’ Day is a UK-wide campaign which highlights the importance of local traders to their local economies and called on consumers in Lurgan to ensure a proportion of their spending was with independent businesses on Saturday, July 4, and beyond.

The campaign was led locally by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, with significant support from the local Chambers of Commerce and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA).

Jean Kerr, from 2J’s Female fashion Boutique in Lurgan, commented:

“It was fantastic to see independent traders from Lurgan town centre and across neighbouring towns and villages come together in support of such an important campaign such as Independents’ Day.

“It’s important to reinforce the ‘shop local’ message and remind people just how vital these independent businesses are to the lifeblood of our local economy.

“Council has an important role to play in boosting local businesses and the Independents’ Day campaign was a great example of the public and private sector working in partnership.

“I hope those shoppers who visited the businesses taking part were able to get some good offers and that everyone enjoyed the family fun.”

The businesses taking part in the Independents’ Day campaign were from a wide range of sectors, including hair & beauty, jewellers, fashion and the hospitality sector.

The family fun activities on the day included musical performances, face painting and giant board games.

Independent retailers make up 92% of all retail businesses in the UK: their importance to local economies as well as their contribution to a location’s identity and community is unrivalled. More towns and locations across the UK have confirmed their participation in the campaign this year than ever before.

The campaign is now in its third year.

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