The sun is trying really hard to come out and stay out, just in time for the weekend. And with thebestof's Buy Local Week starting next week, we are delighted to see that there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the better weather and start the campaign a little early in Watford this weekend.
Today, Friday May 31st from 9am until 5pm is Watford Market, which is filled to the brim with food and groceries, clothing, textiles, antiques, books, CDs and DVDs, electrical goods, gifts, household goods, gardening and floral items, gifts, home furnishings, stationery and cards.
Held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday in Charter Place, Watford town centre, the fact that Watford Market is indoors means that whatever the weather, you can buy local and support the town's traders.
Part of Watford Market is the Vintage and Retro Collectables event, which takes place in Charter Place every Friday and second Saturday of the month. If you are tired of flat pack, chrome and 'brand new', come along to Watford Market today and grab yourself something unique!
Watford Live! 2013 is taking place from 1st June and running for entire month. A community arts festival that began in 2009 with a weekend of music, dance and face painting, Watford Live! has now become a major date on the Watford art world's calendar, with a massive calendar of events including:
Artisan market
Watford community fair
Street art
Film night
Concert for peace
Live music
Watford Live! Band mash-up
Country dancing
Art exhibitions
Fun day
Tea dance
Starlight Walk
Queen's Road Summer Market
Tomorrow (Saturday 1st June, 9am until 5pm) sees Watford Market delving into the 'artisan' with its Watford Live! Artisan Market at Charter Place. Designed to make the market more diverse and vibrant, the Artisan Market is supporting local independent entrepreneurs and designers who make their own unique items, such as jewellery, paintings, clothing and furniture.
Also held in Charter Place tomorrow from 10am until 4pm is Watford Community Fair, where you can sign up for the annual Starlight Walk in aid of The Peace Hospice, talk to representatives of local dance groups and choirs, find out more about an array of community groups and buy locally made craft items.
Of course, these are regular and one-off events that help us place focus on the importance of buying local, and with our Buy Local campaign beginning on Monday, there really is no better time to change your spending habits just a little to support our independent Watford businesses and help shape our town and its sense of community.
But please remember thebestof Watford's Best Local Businesses are always on hand to offer the finest levels of service. From recommended tradespeople to wedding specialists; garden maintenance companies to office designers; don't automatically opt for the national chains and high street names. Try talking to the experts on your doorstep, who live in your community and love it as much as you do.
