Shoppers are urged to support town’s small independent businesses
SHOPS ASKING FOR YOUR CUSTOM IN THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS
SHOPPERS have been urged to spend in Burton’s small independent shops where their money will help “support a family” and keep local people in jobs.
As the Christmas countdown has begun Tony’s Butchers, in New Street, says the profits it makes pay to employ local people and shoppers will be helping to support their friends and neighbours if they spend in smaller shops.
Tony Lampitt, who runs the butchers with his wife Sharon, said: “Our meat is fresh and 80 per cent of it comes from local farms around Burton. The meat is freshly cut on premises and we take pride in our customer service. We have good conversations with people who come in, we’re always happy to help and we’re so grateful for their custom.
“When people buy our produce they’re supporting a family because our profits pay our staff’s wages as well as putting food on our own table and paying for our bills. Brad and Ben [his staff ] do a great job and they do most of the work in here whilst Sharon and I own the butchers. We employ young staff to make sure that future generations can identify quality, fresh food. We’ve sold out of turkey allocations already because of the shortage caused by bird flu. We’re hoping to get a few more in during the week before Christmas but it’s not guaranteed.”
Their call to shoppers to spend some of their money in smaller shops has been echoed by other traders from the town, ahead of the Black Friday weekend, when retailers traditionally offer cheap deals as shoppers stock up for Christmas. It was an American tradition, but is now a firm date on the UK shopping calendar.
Natalie Lynch and James Furniss coown Ahoy Sailor in High Street. James said: “A big part of our ethos is sustainability. All the clothes we sell are pre-loved or vintage so it doesn’t have a carbon footprint like a lot of big brands and High Street shops do. We still sell brands such as Nike, Adidas, The North Face and many other brands. There’s something for everyone here.”
Natalie added: “We also sell sportswear such as football shirts, which are great for the World Cup, American football and basketball jerseys and so
much more cool stuff that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in Burton. Because a lot of our items are vintage and pre-loved it means that a lot of our products are a lot rarer to get your hands on because they might not exist anywhere else as they were made in a specific year for a specific collection.” Summer Williams is the owner of Woodside Giftware on the first floor of The Octagon shopping centre, which has a range of products to suit people of all ages. Summer’s mum, Jane Williams helps in the shop and “holds the fort” for Summer on her days off.
Jane said: “There’s a bit of everything in here so there’s something for everyone and anyone. We’re selling a range of different gift baskets, which include bath bombs, wax melts, wooden goods and other crafts. We make around 30 bath bombs each day which sell out really quickly because our prices are so competitive. “Customers can get anything they like engraved to our wooden items such as their name, their favourite photos or pictures which can make for a really special Christmas present. Most products we stock are hand-made by Summer, myself or by small businesses and local talent whom Summer helps out by selling their crafts in her shop. Come and see what fantastic gifts you can get for your loved ones.”
Our profits pay our staff’s wages as well as putting food on our own table and paying for our bills.
Tony Lampitt
People looking for something to do for fun should head to Books and Banter in Station Street. It is billed as a safe space for people to socialise, play games and read. It’s also a great place for people with autism as staff go above and beyond to fulfil the needs of customers.
Its owner, Melissa Bowen, said: “We provide a safe and inclusive space for people to meet. We don’t charge to sit down and play games. Books and Banter is about connecting people with others and making everybody feel welcome. There’s no minimum charge here and we do a lot of community projects between 12 to 3pm during weekdays.
“We sell food and drinks and in-store products which goes back into the community projects we do. Our milkshakes are really tasty and we offer vegan and gluten free options. If someone wants something but we don’t have it in then we’ll go out of our way to get it for our customers next time they visit.”
Good Times watch and clocks, in the Octagon centre, is ideal for people wanting a watch or to restore old time pieces. Perry Evans is a watch repairer there and claims these are the cheapest watch battery changes in Burton, adding: “We offer a two-year guarantee with the new batteries too. We sell all kinds of watches and clocks as well as some accessories.”
Weary shoppers hitting the shops in Burton will need to be fed and watered with small independent café Summerhouse Kitchen in Burton Market Hall a top choice. Its owner Tracey Heap said: “The Summerhouse Kitchen offers great value for money. People can get a good meal at a reasonable price. December starts the run of Christmas lunches and we’re also doing Christmas buffets externally which people can order.
“We need the footfall to pay our staff’s wages and to live on so it’s imperative that people come in and support us so that we can support our staff, especially at the minute whilst there’s the cost of living crisis.
“The great thing about Summerhouse Kitchen is that it’s nice and warm in here. We get a lot of older people coming in for dinner and a pudding which is [together] priced from £7.50, which saves them money in the long run because they don’t need to put the cooker and heating on during the daytime. It’s also a great chance for people to socialise because some people will be lonely over the Christmas period so it’s nice for them to come here and chat to others.”
Becci Thompson is the owner of The Hideaway café in Station Street. She said: “The Hideaway is an independent family run coffee and gift shop. We pride ourselves on great customer service – our customers are treated as individuals and not numbers and we appreciate each and every one of their custom.
“We serve a delicious afternoon tea which is a great way to celebrate a special occasion – at the moment we’re serving festive afternoon tea to fit in with the Christmas period. As well as all the usual staple coffee shop items, we also sell a range of gifts, ideal for presents for Christmas.”