Keeping It Local has never been more important as Leighton Buzzard businesses look to recover from pandemic

With most businesses either open or poised to re-open on July 4 - the date of the town's annual Independents Day event which aims to promote local traders - Leighton-Linslade Town Council has produced a downloadable new logo, plus other promotional material, aimed at boosting the town centre's recovery.

Of its Keeping It Local message, a town council spokesman said: "It is important to unite our business community, especially in these unprecedented times. It is hoped that the logo that stands for so much within our town, will offer that common bond to businesses both large and small."

"Town centre shops and businesses can use it freely and a suite of promotional material and brand guidelines can be located on the town council’s website: https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/keeping-it-local."

Of the current crisis, the spokesman added: "The economic resilience of our town centre’s small businesses is threatened. Some businesses have found ways to continue to serve our community, however others have been unable to do this.

"Some businesses have sought support from government and have used this time to make changes and adapt. We also know there will be some businesses who will not be able to continue to serve our community.

"But as well as challenges, the pandemic has shown us how successful we can be when we work together. Our town can thrive when the community, council and local businesses join forces and support our vibrant local economy. We are developing initiatives with our partners who support the economic activity of the town such as LB First, Federation of Small Business’ local Special Interest Group, and Central Bedfordshire Council."

Gennaro Borrelli, chairman of independent traders' group LB First, said the first casualty on the High Street since lockdown has been Reasons To Be Cheerful which has announced it would not be reopening as the restrictions ease.

He said: "There's no doubt we will be facing a big recession ahead as well as having to adjust the way we do things. This why LB First and the Federation Of Small Business Special Interest Group (S.I.G.) has been working in partnership with the town council and Central Beds council putting forward ideas and proposals and help formulate a local economic recovery plan.

"By working collaboratively we can pool together our limited resources and achieve a lot more at a time when its needed most. We decided that promotion is key but we wanted something that would encompass the businesses, the market, the heritage, iconic buildings and the togetherness of our community after all the town centre is the beating heart of our community, a hub drawing people in for shopping, eating, drinking, entertainment, socialising, exercising, learning and worshipping.

"Communication is important and the message is clear, Leighton Buzzard is a proud historical market town and its future will depend on the support of local residents more now than ever before hence the strap line 'Keeping It Local' and the town council team have done a great job producing promotional material that local businesses can use along with the logo."

He added: "This partnership working shows what can be done and we've got more things in the pipeline which hopefully will show our positive, constructive approach liaising and looking for solutions that will help showcase our town as a place that's open for business and reassure people that they can feel safe. That's why we will be promoting this year's Independents Day with the local authorities, celebrating the reopening of independent businesses and market on Saturday, July 4."

The Keeping It Local logo features: the cast-iron traditional-style lamp posts which have become part of the town centre landscape; the Old Fire Station (with clock tower) on Market Square which was a fire station from 1919 until 1963 when a new station opened off Lake Street, which still stands today; The Swan Hotel situated at the Market Cross end of the High Street (Catherine ‘Kitty’ Towers inherited the grand Swan Hotel from her husband William after his unexpected death in 1893); The Market Cross (origins uncertain) however, it is believed to date from the 15th century and was probably paid for and built by order of Alice, Duchess of Suffolk; and finally All Saints Church (circa 1220 the building of the church was started during the reign of Edward I).

Will you be Keeping It Local? Email your views to [email protected]