Independent retailers get campaign lift

A MONTH-long campaign to support the city’s independent businesses has been launched.

The campaign, by Retail BID Birmingham, is called ‘Love Your Independents’ and includes ‘takeovers’ of the shoppinginbirmingham.com website, window stickers for all independent businesses and social media adverts promoting the sector.

Love Your Independents is being supported by management teams at Great Western and Piccadilly Arcades.

Retail BID Birmingham is the Business Improvement District for the city centre retail and leisure area.

There are 100 independent businesses in the area, covering retail, food and drink and hair and beauty salons.

A recent report by Birminghambased Bira, the trade association for independent retailers, revealed independents accounted for 64 per cent of all retail and leisure units in the UK, with 2018 seeing growth in independent stores across shopping centres as landlords look for diversity and unique occupiers.

One of the city centre’s bestknown independent businesses is Great Western Arcade-based Loki Wine, founded by Phil Innes.

Loki has been recognised nationally for its innovative approach.

“Since I opened Loki in 2012 the independent scene in Birmingham has gone from strength to strength, and now we have a real range of quality independent retailers in Birmingham the sector is only going to get better over the next few years,” said Mr Innes, a Retail BID Board member.

“There is a realisation with the local population that independents offer far more to the local economy than chain businesses, but also offer a unique experience, high level customer service and great quality products.

“It is fantastic how the sector has now grown to 100 independent businesses in the Retail BID area, and is a testament to the work that is being done around Birmingham to make it more appealing to local businesses, and the improvement to the shopping areas to make the city centre more connected and attractive to shoppers.”