Industry News
Campaign aims to boost independent businesses in Durham City
Durham shoppers will have the chance to win a share of £2,500 worth of vouchers thanks to an initiative aimed at supporting the city’s independent businesses.
Durham BID’s Independent campaign will take place from November 17to December 22 – and more than 40 businesses have already signed up to take part.
They include Collected Books, Durham Ginstitute, Circle Vintage and many businesses inside Durham’s Market Hall.
The initiative aims to boost trade in the city and visitors can collect a loyalty card from the participating businesses. They will get a stamp when they purchase a product and once they have three stamps from three different businesses – they will be entered into a prize draw.
Five winners will be announced each week – and will receive £100 worth of vouchers, which they can spend in the participating stores.
Paul Howard, Durham BID manager said: “Durham City has a thriving independent shopping scene with everything from vintage and clothing stores to shops that offer handmade arts and crafts, and speciality food and drink products.
“We launched Durham Independents to not only shine a spotlight on these fantastic businesses but put money in their tills and boost the local economy.
“If people are out shopping in the city, whether it’s to pick up fruit and veg from Robinson’s Greengrocers or buy Christmas gifts from places such as Elvet and Bailey, we’re encouraging them to pick up a loyalty card and get it stamped.”
Once shoppers have collected their three stamps, they can hand the cards in at Moon, on Silver Street; Northern Stores and Deli (formerly Discovering Durham), Unit 14, High Street; Upcycle Me, situated inside Durham’s Indoor Market; or pop it in Durham BID’s Post Box, 27 High Street.
As well as a variety of different shops, many of Durham’s independent coffee shops and restaurants are taking part. They include Maple Patisserie, which was the County Winner in the National Bakery Awards 2023; Bean Social – a community café on North Road – Zapatista Burrito Bar, The Coffee Shop; Leonards Coffee Shop; and The Food Pit.
Matty Booth, co-founder of Northern Stores and Deli, which sells food, drink and crafts products from northern producers and is about to open a deli in the coming weeks, said: “Durham Independents is a brilliant campaign that drives footfall in the city centre.
“Plus, it’s a great way to incentivise people to shop locally – with the chance of winning vouchers. We’ve had winners in the past who’ve used their vouchers to buy Christmas presents for family and friends, or treat themselves.”