RETAILERS UPDATE

October 2006

Congratulations Shrewsbury!

Shrewsbury has been awarded the gold award for Britain in Bloom in the small city/large town category.  This reflects not only the fantastic work carried out by the horticultural team, but the town as a whole, and the people who live and work here ensuring it is a clean, safe and attractive place to live in and visit.   
It also raises the profile of Shrewsbury as the town now goes forward into the European competition next year.

End of Summer Season 2006

This year's Shrewsbury Summer Season rounded up in style with the International Street Theatre Festival and Folk Festival both attracting big crowds and bringing a buzzing atmosphere to the town centre.  Traders in the town such as Pengwern Books reported much-increased sales over Bank Holiday as thousands of Folk Festival-goers crammed into Shrewsbury.  A comprehensive Economic Impact survey was carried out over the weekend with results to follow.  A new 'little book of Shrewsbury' containing a variety of inspiring images of the town has been sent out with Summer Season tickets encouraging people to come for longer or return another time.

Overall the festival has been a great success with the Director, Chris Eldon Lee now keen to get on with the 2007 programme!  Anyone interested in being involved e.g. advertising in the brochure, hosting/sponsoring an event should get in touch with Chris directly on 01743 281549 chris.eldonleee@shrewsbury.gov.uk

Flower Show Feedback

Destination Shrewsbury's promotions at Shrewsbury Flower Show generated over 1000 return day visits during September and October.  Fliers featuring a series of hotel and day visit offers were distributed to visitors to the Show at key points including a stand opposite the main entrance and in Frankwell Coach Park.  Having thoroughly enjoyed a day at the Show visitors on their way back to cars and coaches were particularly receptive to the idea of returning to Shrewsbury and Destination Shrewsbury's aim was to give them the encouragement and information they needed.
Overnight stays have also been generated from the promotion and these offers continue until December.

To date the Flower Show promotional activity has delivered approximately £30,000 of business to the town, a rate of return on investment of 1:20

Markets in the Square

A variety of flavours have been coming to Shrewsbury in the form of foreign markets.  The recent Italian market brought traditional pastas, wine, breads, cheeses and more.  And there are plenty more events to come over the next couple of months:

3rd November        Local food & drink fair
17th November      Made in Shropshire arts & craft fair
1st December        Local food & drink fair
7th–9th December  Brunomart French Market
13th December      Deliciously Shropshire: Victorian Christmas Market
15th December      Made in Shropshire arts & craft fair

A Traditional Christmas in Shrewsbury

Wednesday the 15th of November is Christmas Lights Switch-On night.
The event features Pantomime Stars, Children's TV character Engie Benjy and the Beacon Radio Road Show.
 
The event starts at 6.00pm with a road closure of High Street from 5.00pm to 7.30pm. 

Since March of this year, a joint marketing group has been planning the Christmas Campaign.
The group includes representatives from Retailers United, The Darwin & Pride Hill Shopping Centres, Destination Shrewsbury, Shropshire Enterprise Partnership, Park & Ride and The Music Hall.
The Christmas 'Shopping & Happenings' Brochure is hot off the press and being distributed locally and to the Wolverhampton, Stoke and Telford areas.

A5 sized window stickers are being produced with the Christmas campaign logo and retailers are invited to place one in their windows to support the promotion

The joint marketing group has also laid on entertainment for late-night Wednesdays with the Circus Street Theatre Group performing in The Square on 29th of November and the 6th of December. There's a Victorian Market in The Square on the 13th of December and look out for the chestnut vendor adding a truly traditional flavour to Christmas in Shrewsbury.

Theatre Severn

With the contract signed work is now due to commence on the new theatre.  For further information on the project please visit the website: http://www.shrewsbury.gov.uk/public/yourcouncilatwork/councilprojects/nev/default.htm

For more information or to comment on Retailers Updates please contact Melanie Cousins, 01743 281204 melanie.cousins@shrewsbury.gov.uk