Independent shops across Ryde are being encouraged to stay open until 19:00 for Small Business Saturday on 5th December, as a local business owner hopes to bring festive shoppers into the town and give its high street a welcome boost in the run-up to Christmas.
Charlotte Legge, founder of Duxmore Botanics on Union Street, is spearheading the initiative, which aims to bring together as many of Ryde’s independent retailers as possible for a day of Christmas shopping.
The event, which coincides with the nationally recognised Small Business Saturday campaign, will give residents and visitors the opportunity to browse the town’s independent shops later than usual, while enjoying everything else Ryde has to offer.
Charlotte is now calling on other businesses to get involved, with participation completely free and a growing online list being compiled to help shoppers discover which stores will be staying open.
To help spread the word, local designer Nicola Line has created a special window poster which participating businesses can collect free of charge from Duxmore Botanics on Union Street.
Each poster features a QR code linking to an online events page, where shoppers can see an up-to-date list of participating retailers and plan their festive shopping trip.
Charlotte Legge, Founder of Duxmore Botanics, has said:
“Ryde has so much to offer, from beautiful independent boutiques and specialist shops to fantastic coffee houses and some of the Island’s best restaurants.
Article continues below this advertisement “You really can make a day of it here, whether that’s enjoying a walk along the beach, stopping for breakfast or lunch, browsing the shops or finding that perfect Christmas gift for someone special.
“Christmas shopping should be an experience to enjoy, and there’s something rather lovely about wandering through town with the festive lights twinkling, discovering little independent shops and receiving that personal service you don’t always find elsewhere.”
The initiative is also intended to encourage shoppers to spend more time in Ryde, perhaps combining a visit to the shops with a meal or an evening out.
Charlotte has explained:
“We love the national initiative behind Small Business Saturday, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring our local businesses together.
“We’re encouraging as many independent retailers as possible to stay open until 7pm, giving people a little more time to explore the town, enjoy some Christmas shopping and perhaps stay for dinner or an evening out.”
Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of free parking in Council car parks between 12:00 and 18:00, alongside 1 hour of free on-street parking.
The Small Business Saturday event will be followed by Yuletide Ryde on 11th December, organised by Ryde Town Council.
That event will see festive entertainment, indoor performances and roaming performers taking place across the town between 17:00 and 19:30, offering another opportunity for local businesses to extend their opening hours.
Charlotte hopes the 2 events will encourage more people to shop locally and recognise the contribution independent retailers make to the town.
She has added:
“Small independent businesses are such an important part of our communities. Behind every shopfront is someone working incredibly hard, often with a small team or family behind them. Every purchase, recommendation and visit really does make a difference.
“We’d love to see Ryde bustling with people enjoying everything the town has to offer. Whether you come for a coffee, a spot of Christmas shopping, dinner or simply to soak up the atmosphere, there’s every reason to make a day, or an evening, of it.”
Independent retailers wishing to participate in Small Business Saturday on 5th December are invited to keep their doors open until at least 19:00.
Businesses can collect their free promotional window poster from Duxmore Botanics on Union Street and have their details added to the online list of participating shops.
Members of the public are encouraged to look out for the posters in shop windows and scan the QR codes to find out which businesses are taking part.
