CELEBRATE INDEPENDENT RETAILERS PLUS A SPECIAL OFFER FOR INDEPENDENTS’ DAY

From bespoke clothing and one-off antique finds to eco-friendly cleaning products, hand-made ‘gifts for life,’ to affordable arts and crafts, interesting groceries, ethical clothes and hand crafted coffee and freshly made smoothies… and that’s just my favourite array of a few things on offer at The Ridings Shopping Centre-come-community hub… Whether you enjoy a self-care trim at the barbers or your eyebrows threaded like I do!… 

After losing access to some of our favourite independent retailers in Lockdown, I for one am vowing to return and support more than ever our independents old and new. From craft markets to records, if there’s something you love… Please shop local and independent. 

Whilst corner shops and independent grocery stores have reported a 63% surge in trade as shoppers turned to local outlets during the coronavirus crisis, we all know how much internet giants have thrived even more (online groceries for example, leaping up by 75%)… Not to mention the fact that most of our favourite indies have been forced to temporarily close completely with no replacement online for the personal touch and customer service like no other.

Independents’ Day UK

And if you need a friendly reminder, Independents’ Day UK is a campaign that exists to support and promote independent retail businesses which takes place this 3rd-4th July.

Independents account for something in the order of 65% of the approximately 290,000 retail outlets in the UK and The Ridings is no exception to that, as their independent retailers are at the heart of The Ridings and the local community. 

Plus, The Ridings Shopping Centre have a special offer for customers. 

To grab a FREE, quality canvas shopping bag when you spend just £20 in one of their independent stores over the weekend of the 3rd & 4th July. The stores involved are: Created in Yorkshire, Made and Found – Yorkshire, Morgana Clothing, Hellraiser Records,Niche Handbags, Wakefield Antique & Collectables The Ridings Centre Wakefield, Transform Images, Future Links, Hidden Extras, Home and More, More Value Everyday and Art Originals. 

Just take your receipt along to the customer services lounge on the upper mall adjacent to Boot on Saturday or Sunday between 10.30am and 4pm, to claim your free bag. 

Full details and the list of stores that qualify can be found here https://www.ridingscentre.com/events/free-shopping-bag-when-you-support-our-independent-retailers.

The rise of independent retail is reviving our high streets with its dynamic colourful creative offerings from our sometimes hardest hit yet strongest community bonds that independent businesses can offer. Not only when we shop local and independent are we supporting more ethical trading and sometimes supporting families as a result but I can promise you, you tend to get better quality produce, a wider variety of interesting clobber, groceries and hand-crafted goods… but genuine feel-good retail therapy. 

To support The Ridings’ independent retailers, you can find them here: https://www.ridingscentre.com/independent-stores 

The rise of independent retail is reviving our high streets with its dynamic colourful creative offerings from our sometimes hardest hit yet strongest community bonds that independent businesses can offer. Not only when we shop local and independent are we supporting more ethical trading and sometimes supporting families as a result but I can promise you, you tend to get better quality produce, a wider variety of interesting clobber, groceries and hand-crafted goods… but genuine feel-good retail therapy!