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Uniquely Worcester

Our campaign which aimed to promote the diversity of independent businesses in Worcester city centre gained the support of 85 businesses.

Uniquely Worcester was an event and campaign run by the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) and aimed to promote the diversity and quality of the offer of small firms in the city centre. A day of celebrations was held on Saturday 3rd September 2011 with a variety of street entertainment including a Barber Shop Quartet, Worcester Male Voice Choir, Chamber Music @ Worcester including violinist Shulah Oliver and soprano Kyla Lingley. Local artist David Birtwhistle who owns independent art gallery Birties of Worcester in Friar Street also painted the street during the day. Customers purchasing goods from any of the participating businesses between the 3^rd and 10^th September were able to enter a free prize draw to win a hamper full of products all from independent businesses in Worcester worth over 600 pounds.

BID Co-ordinator Hazel Alley said Œwe have had a great response from our independents across all sectors who actively want to take part and showcase their business. Times have been tough recently and the event and campaign aimed to raise awareness of such businesses which many people who come into Worcester may not be aware of and to help boost trade.'

Mike Linton owner of Cornucopia in High Street which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary is taking part and added 'we were delighted to be involved in this collective effort to show people that there is more to Worcester than just chain stores. People are always pleasantly surprised when they come into our shop for the first time and we know that other businesses receive this feedback about them too. The Uniquely Worcester event allowed people to explore businesses they might not have known about before.'

Worcester BID Manager Adrian Field added Œindependents are the life and soul of a city centre and give Worcester its distinct character. We want people to know that you can find stockists such as Cath Kidston, fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood, have the national independent record retailer of the year and a shop dedicated to everything left handed for example.Œ

An information point highlighting the activities taking place and participating businesses was located outside the Guildhall on the High Street on the 3^rd September.

The campaign actively ran until the 10^th September with businesses taking part having bunting and posters on their frontages throughout the week.

The street entertainment took place at the following venues:

Kyla Lingley - Soprano soloist:

The Shambles: Friar Street

High Street (by the Elgar statue)

Broad Street

Pump Street

Worcester Male Voice Choir:

Chapel Walk, CrownGate Shopping Centre

4getmenots Barber Shop Quartet:

Broad Street

Hopmarket