Over 70 of Leighton Buzzard’s independent businesses have registered to participate in this month’s Totally Locally Fiver Fest.

Across the country, thousands of traders are gathering between June 12-26 to mark their contribution to the Great British High Street – with spending offers of £ 5 to their customers.

Leighton Buzzard is one of 100 independent High Streets to join the initiative, spearheaded by Edwina Osborne, civil servant and founder of Totally Locally Leighton Buzzard.

She said: “This is the second year in a row that Leighton Buzzard has participated in the national Fiver Fest campaign. Independent businesses and businesses are what make our city special and unique. Having a busy main street is what drove me to move to the city in 2019 and I want to continue to see it thrive.

“That’s why I started Totally Locally Leighton Buzzard, inspired by other towns, like Bedford, which have been involved in the campaign for several years. Fiver Fest is a big, positive campaign with a simple message: by making small changes and spending just £ 5 a week we can make a big positive difference to where we live.

“This year’s June Fiver Fest is a way of thanking customers and highlighting the great value and economic impact of local shopping. For me, Totally Locally is all about showing the power of community unity and I am delighted to say over 70 local businesses are involved in the campaign this year – with hopefully more to come.

As Anna Nickless of hair and beauty salon Anne McGuigan sums it up “a local campaign like Fiver Fest is so important – Leighton Buzzard is such a wonderful town, and this initiative will bring people together and bring them back to Main Street.”

Leighton Buzzard’s Fiver Fest was supported by local printing company BannerKid who agreed to sponsor vinyl posters and banners to promote the event. The local business forum, LB First, and other community groups have also provided support, as has the city council which manages the city’s market. A number of market traders are also participating in Fiver Fest again this year, including SJ Books, Wombats Woodshop, Turners Nurseries, The Fudge Can Company and The Deli at No 5.

Fiver Fest is a free campaign, designed and managed by Totally Locally, a local High Street organization that has been helping businesses and High Streets help themselves since 2010.

Edwina added: ‘If every adult in Leighton Buzzard spent just £ 5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, that would mean £ 7.2million per year directly into our local economy. Which can lead to more jobs, a better main street, a stronger economy and a better place to live. That makes you think doesn’t it ?! “

The Fiver Fest offers were imaginative and varied; from £ 5 of massages to £ 5 of locally sourced meat packs, £ 5 of best-selling book deals at £ 5 for lunch. And where the community really supported the campaign, many businesses found it to be their busiest time outside of Christmas.

Any independent business wishing to participate in the Fiver Fest at Leighton Buzzard should contact Edwina by email at [email protected] or complete the registration form at https://totallylocallyleightonbuzzard.wordpress.com/sign-up-to-take-part-in-fiver-fest. Ali’s paper; Krysalis creations; The Ohana Co Candle; Mystic Melts by Caitlin; Flair for the party; the harvest of nature; Infinite Studio; Reflexology Serenity and Well-being; Salon of Constantine; The Vegan Hangry; Bembridge casts; Red poppies studio; Bathroom ; Zoom photography studio; Thatch face; Azure pools; LJ Fitness; Gazza Archives; Jules Fashion Accessories; Wombats Woodshop (Leighton Buzzard Market trader); Black Circle Discs; Adrienne’s flowers; Cee Jay Electronics; Crow and broomstick; the happy planet festival; Lisa Hewitt Hypnotherapy; Sophia’s homemade cakes; Gallon Fitness and Martial Arts; Café Cittadina; Dorvics Cycles; Reasons for the season; Martini Restaurant; Treasure map trails; Rachel Fawcett Sports Massage; Anne McGuigan Beauty Salon; Loobi Crafts; Delicious chumz; The Brickhill Bistro; Telephone sales in Bedfordshire; The secret court; Trainers and bananas; Sunshine Softplay; Allframe Ltd; The Ivy Lane Restaurant; Blakely and Bow; Pecks Farm Shop; The DineYard; King’s Road fashions; Jackson and Phillips Garage; The Deli at No 5 (Leighton Buzzard Market Trader); The Fudge Can Company (Leighton Buzzard Market trader); turning nurseries; SJ Books (Leighton Buzzard Market trader); The Good Life recharge; Telephone club; The crooked crow bar; Di Meo hairstyle; Works of the CCG; Wear2School Ltd; Backyard pizza company; Bits and buds; the chilli island; English with Holly; Amy’s Dance Academy; Leighton Buzzard Brewing Company; La Grange à Café; Miss Kavita’s kitchen; Lauren’s Cafe; Angelics; The spotted sheep.