TAVISTOCK is joining in with the Totally Locally National Fiver Fest next month — a campaign to get people shopping in the high street.

The Totally Locally National Fiver Fest will run from June 8 to 15 and will see local, independent businesses creating special £5 offers for their customers to encourage shoppers to support local businesses.

Shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs and businesses are taking part and distinctive posters around the town and online will promote all of the fiver offers available.

The event is being spearheaded by Tavistock BID (Business Improvement District). BID manager Janna Sanders said: ‘The Fiver Fest event showcases the town and the great shops and businesses we have here. It encourages people to think about how they spend their cash and has devised an easily achievable way to contribute an extra £2.6-million over a year to Tavistock’s local economy.

‘It doesn’t mean spending more but simply deciding to spend £5 a week in a local business rather than a big supermarket or online. The bonus is that the distinctiveness of the town, which relies on independent organisations and businesses, is protected and supported.

‘On average, each independent business has around 12 local suppliers who are also often independent, family-run businesses. So that £5 spent is re-spent locally as well, further helping the town. And the beauty of spending £5 is that it’s easy, guilt free and pretty much anyone can do it. Tiny actions like this can make a huge impact when lots of people vote with their feet.’

More than 40 businesses are expected to take part and there will be offers such as a cream tea at the Bedford Hotel, box of running accessories from Run Venture at the Dragonfly Café, a mini roast from Downings Butchers, a Vivitar 20 piece digital essentials kit from Dartmoor Photographic and bejewelled tealight holders from Cabana Interiors.

Chris Sands, founder of Totally Locally, said: ‘Independent businesses are the lifeblood of our high street and town centres, run by incredibly passionate and knowledgeable people, often pouring their life savings into their businesses. Everyone is aware of the challenges our high streets are facing and, so far, there has been a lot of talk but no real actions. Totally Locally towns have run many Fiver Fests individually with great success, so we decided to coordinate a national Fiver Fest to spread the word about our £5 message and get people back into our town centres and supporting their high street.

‘Since I created the Totally Locally campaign, some towns involved have gone on to win the high street of the year competition and other awards for turning their towns around, the number of empty shops in their towns have reduced, created brand new markets and events and most of all the businesses in the towns have started to work together to promote their town and each other.

‘Collaborating, sharing ideas and marketing each other’s businesses sounds simple but it is quite an alien concept to a lot of retailers. Once towns start to work this way it has a massive benefit to residents, businesses and the surrounding supply chain, making the towns a better place to live and work, with better facilities and employment.’

Any independent business wishing to participate in the Fiver Fest in Tavistock can contact Tavistock BID at [email protected]