Don’t miss The “Award Winning” (we like saying that) Totally Locally Brighouse Market this weekend (28th April). Lots of amazing local food, crafts…… oh you know the stuff. If you don’t, take a shufty at the video on the front page of the main Totally Locally site, shot by the lovely Nicola Harris.
So this is the spring version – bigger, better, warmer (hopefully!) and just a nice time to be had by all. Get yersens down!
March the 3rd saw the launch of Totally Locally Edwinstowe – the smallest place the campaign has been run, but probably one of the biggest hearts to any town we’ve come across. A group of people so determined to make their village a better place to work, live and visit. The passion & determination of everyone was so evident, it got us all goose-bumpy.
Led by the extraordinary Annette Terry, the Edwinstowe put on a huge effort, and the local people really showed their gratitude by supporting their local shops and businesses on the day.
So if you’re passing Nottingham way, drop by to this lovely little place, grab a bit to eat, have a wander and tell them where you heard about Edwinstowe!
More – below (and check out that video!)
Brighouse Totally Locally Market was awarded National Market Award for Best Small Speciality Market in the UK this week. This is brilliant, as this time last year it was just an idea in a couple of Brighouse businesses eye!
A great example of people working together. Brighouse Business Innitiative, all the great shops and producers, Calderdale Markets and Totally Locally.
AND Hebden Bridge market second in best small open market for the whole of the UK. A brilliant achievement all round.
Well February 2012 will see the launch of Totally Locally Offers. Totally Locally Offers is an email list that people can subscribe to to get a load of great offers that the independent shops and businesses in the area are offering. If you toddle down to the shop or business then please let them know you’ve come for your Totally Locally offer…and the more offers you take up the merrier…and remember to pass on the list to your friends and colleagues. Pay it forward.
When you launch Totally Locally in your town, it’s best to think about an event to help people & businesses focus on the whole idea and also to give press, radio & TV something to hang an article on. It makes sense too, in the fact that if you are handing out flyers about the whole concept of Totally Locally, an event is the perfect thing to demonstrate the whole big idea. (more…)
So we’ve hit the festive season once again, and it’s a time when, traditionally, we’ll all think about maybe using our local shops like the butchers, the bakers, the greengrocers (seeing as there’s no candlestick makers!) gift shops etc. Why? Because Christmas being special, we think our families, friends, and ourselves deserve something a bit better than usual. Something like that superb cut of meat for the dining table, or some beautiful locally grown veg.
But this time when you go, check out the prices. Then check them at your supermarket. We know you’ll be surprised. Lots of small shops are selling like for like (or even better for like) at lower prices than the bigguys. Not everything, we admit, but we recently did a comparison with the market and the supermarket and on average we found the market to be nearly 1/3 cheaper! Same in a lot of the little shops too. The only difference is the big guys spend millions telling us how cheap they are.
BUT we would like to congratulate the people of Calderdale on how they have really taken the Totally Locally message to heart. Our towns are starting to see a big turn around. We’ve got one of the lowest empty shop rates in the North and our towns are getting better.
So from us all at Totally Locally, we say Merry Christmas, and wish you a peaceful and special New Year. AND while you’re getting your Totally Locally shopping, just take a second to realise how nice it feels – then make it your resolution to go back in the New Year!
Last Wednesday I gave a talk to some of the business and shop owners early evening in the Bull Inn about some of the things that Totally Locally have been doing in other towns.
I managed to get down there from Totally Locally Towers and get a few hours looking around Olney before speaking.
In my humble opinion Olney is a lovely little town with a great market square that is packed with great independent shops and business, and streets that are not dominated by high street chain or supermarkets. You can’t help wanting to go and explore the main square and side streets.
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Totally Locally Ltd is delighted to have had it’s project Totally Locally Shops approved by Calderdale Council members and is now sorting out terms and conditions for the recent PRG Funding Award.
The project team at Totally Locally is raring to go with the project and is looking to try and implement the first Totally Locally Shop in Calderdale by September this year. An ambitious target but a challenge the team is looking to rise to.
The idea is to create shops that primarily stock goods and produce from local suppliers, local shops and local businesses that is open beyond the usual 9am-5pm working hours of most local independent shops.
The current thinking is that each shop will be owned by the staff and profits where appropriate will be distributed to local projects and charities.
The shops will be a showcase of great local products, produce, etc and to provide a local choice for people so that they can do their Totally Locally shop and spend their £5 or more to benefit the local area. The shop will encourage people to find our Hidden Gems to give them more choice and opportunity to shop locally.
The purpose of the shops is to create local employment, improve local supply chains, and ultimately benefit the local community in which they are standing.
It is an ambitious project, and one that we fully intend to be successful and to make our towns and areas that little bit better for all.
We intend to live by our strapline – Invest in your Town, Invest in your Future.
