Fiver Fest come to Leighton Buzzard... and your support means a great deal!

To show the importance of supporting our high streets, Totally Locally Leighton Buzzard is joining with over 100 independent high streets across the UK to put on very special £5 offers, with consumers are asked to divert a fiver of their weekly spend to support the small businesses in their communities.

Edwina Osborne, Leighton Buzzard resident and civil servant, said: “I first heard of Fiver Fest earlier in the year and thought it was great practical grassroots campaign to raise awareness of the massive contribution that local independent businesses and shops make to towns like Leighton Buzzard.

"I decided to set up the Totally Locally Leighton Buzzard Fiver Fest campaign on September 27 and despite the really short notice the local business community has come together to present some great offers and show what a diverse and great range of local independent businesses Leighton Buzzard has ranging from the local yoga centre, the Rocci Tree, to brilliant cafes like the Coffee Barn to Angelica’s, a holistic crystal and rock shop. These businesses are all testament to the resilience of Leighton Buzzard in these testing times.”

She added: “I know that Leighton-Linslade Town Council and the local business forum LB First are working hard to support local businesses, but I wanted to help and Fiver Fest aligns with the work of the ‘Keeping It Local Leighton Buzzard’ campaign message.

“I think Fiver Fest is a great and simple concept. It is about encouraging local people to try new things and not feel guilty or overwhelmed about our shopping habits.

“Even spending as little as £5 a week (and hopefully more) will make a massive difference to our local community.”

Edwina only moved to Leighton Buzzard a year ago, “attracted by the vibrant town centre”.

She said: “The independent shops and businesses are what makes our town special and unique and what it is stay that way.

“The Fiver Fest campaign offers are a way of local businesses saying thank you to local people for their support, and to show just what great value our local businesses are.

“I really hope that Totally Locally Leighton Buzzard Fiver Fest becomes a big part of the promotions and campaigns for Leighton Buzzard’s town offer into the future.”

Businessman Gary Ison, owner and proprietor of Gazza Records in Bell Alley, which only opened in February said he quickly saw the benefit of being involved and “decided to be part of an excellent idea for supporting local Leighton Buzzard retailers”.

Gennaro Borrelli, the chairman of independent traders’ group LB First, said: “Many locals will remember the Fiver Fest from a couple of years ago. This year it is more important than ever, given Covid-19, for people to show their support local independent businesses.

"There are some great offers to take advantage of so we really hope that residents will get behind the town’s businesses. A big thank you to Edwina for all her hard work in helping to organise this year’s Fiver Fest.”

Fiver Fest is a free to join campaign, devised and run by Totally Locally, a grass roots high street organisation that has been helping businesses and high streets to help themselves since 2010.

Fiver fest offers have been imaginative and varied; from £5 massages, to a £5 local meat packs, £5 best-selling book offers to £5 lunch deals and even axe-throwing for £5.

For any independent business wishing to participate in the Fiver Fest in Leighton Buzzard, please contact Edwina on email at [email protected], call 0781 2024096 or see https://totallylocallyleightonbuzzard.wordpress.com where a list of current Fiver Fest offers are available.