A new campaign that celebrated independent traders took over Southbourne High Street over the weekend.
Market stalls popped up along the pavement and businesses were encouraged by the Love Southbourne Project to host events.
Love Southbourne was launched five weeks ago by The Wight Bear's pub landlord, Simon Bentley, and James Fowler, who owns The Larderhouse, Parlourmentary and Terroir Tapas.
Both are keen to promote the unique side of retail that Southbourne has to offer, from sustainable up-cycled furniture to homemade bakes.
Simon said: "We started it to celebrate independent traders and to try and bring people back to the high street."
James added: “Especially after the last few years of COVID and the rise in internet shopping, I thought it was so important to bring traders back to the spotlight and give their customers something extra special.”
Shoppers were given a mini-introduction to wine from the Dorset Wine School, or there was the option of a free pint from The Wight Bear when buying a vinyl album.
Makla's pony petting with Emily the Elf was popular, and Luke Jefford, head chef at The Larderhouse, took people to Fisherman’s Walk for a free one-hour foraging tour.
Tastebuds were delighted by the variety of food, ‘Mark’s Meat Southbourne Sausages’, ‘Ricky's and Root's Street food at Parliamentary’, and kids ate for free at Sobo Fish over the entire weekend.
A local coffee shop commented that it’s profit in sales nearly doubled on the Saturday.
After the success of the Love Southbourne Campaign over the weekend there are plans already underway to have more of these events.
James said “We are having a debrief next week, the intention is to roll out more of these events and get more traders and events on the go.”
Their thank you post stated that they “are making sure our independent high street remains at the heart of the Southbourne community”
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