It’s pouring with rain so I am blogging instead of walking but whether or not the sun shows up tomorrow I will be in the high street inviting the retailers I haven’t yet visited to take part in the Indie Christmas Challenge.
After just a week we have our three sponsors confirmed as Roscoe Rogers and Knight, Phil Smith, Managing Director says “ I am more than happy to support this campaign, Monmouth has an excellent range of independent retailers and businesses but it is true if we don’t use them we could lose them.’ Celandine Ltd Annie O’Keeffe, Director says ‘ I am delighted to be able to support Indie Christmas as we believe strongly that independent business owners deliver a personal service that is unmatched by national and online retailers.’ Stuart Love , Director at Archenfield Insurance Management Ltd says ‘For over 36 years, Archenfield Insurance has been a successful local business; we support Monmouth’s Indie Christmas Campaign because it reflects our aims; keep business local.’
Retailers already in the Christmas Challenge include Shiraz, lovely accessories; Tidings, cards, presents, a treasure trove; Mon Teas, wonderful teas, beautiful tea pots and window displays to watch! Fabric Mills, beautiful designer fabrics at sensible prices; Artico- shoes, boots, accessories, jewellery original and quirky; Pocket Bakery, brimming with delicious flavours; Paws, everyone’s favourite pet shop, The Savoy, our local entertainment venue; The new Friday Food Market at Bridges; Peace of Stone, White Swan Craft studio and we have many more who are interested and some I have to confess, I have not yet visited. But it is so exciting how quickly a campaign like this can take off. This is what we have achieved in a week!
Those that know me will know that I love Monmouth and pretty much only shop here for everything because we can, we are so lucky to have town and country so close together. It seemed natural to take on the Indie Christmas challenge, a national campaign that runs locally and with the support of the Best of Monmouth for social media and The Beacon for press coverage, I have been walking up and down the high street this week and loving the fact that everyone is so enthusiastic about celebrating Indie Christmas. I have been very lucky is securing three sponsors, Celandine Ltd , independent financial advice; Archenfield Insurance Management Ltd. commercial and personal insurance brokers; and Roscoe, Rogers and Knight, independent estate agents who between them are covering all the cost of the materials to allow Monmouth to have its own Christmas Challenge.
The wonderful retailers have all donated presents for the Christmas draw so if you complete the Christmas challenge you could be in with chance of winning some lovely presents details with pictures will be uploaded soon.
Making shopping fun could be another motto. Don’t do it all in one day unless you absolutely have to. Be surprised by what our shops have to offer and enjoy the service you get from shopping locally.
