Take a look at some of the exciting businesses the city has to offer

The Chichester BID campaign has been highlighting some of the many thriving businesses in the city, from retailers and beauty salons to bustling bars and art galleries. This week we’re taking a look at some of the businesses focused on families and young children. Chichester is certainly a very child-friendly city, with various parks and museums including The Novium and the South Downs Planetarium Science Centre There are also many retailers in Chichester who welcome the young – and young at heart. Whirligig Toys in South Street offers a unique range of unusual and interesting toys, specialising in products that encourage children to ‘make and do’. It’s clear that the team at Whirligig take their playtime seriously as they test all the toys on sale and are always on the lookout for new discoveries. The company, which has series of stores across the South East, runs a competition in the Chichester store each month called ‘I Made This...’ As Whirligig director Peter Allinson explained: “Children send us photos of themselves with their finished toy and we select our favourites for a prize. We’re keen to encourage active play and this is a great way to get children engaged. We also have a free newsletter which has special offers and further competitions.” The Chichester store was the second for Whirligig, which began in Brighton, and the success of the store and subsequent growth of the business suggests the toy store offers something not found on the average high street. Also in South Street is The Sweet Jar, a traditional sweet shop known by locals as ‘the pink sweet shop’. With shops in Chichester and Bognor Regis, The Sweet Jar has something to suit every sweet tooth from traditionally made, pan-cooked boiled sweets to handmade fudge, gobstoppers and even sugarfree treats. The Sweet Jar has also built a community, from regulars who stock up on the same favourites to those who like to try something new and busy parents who use the store to buy bespoke sweetie cones and party bags year after year. They have also launched a loyalty scheme, as Jan Ellison explained: “We have a loyalty card in place, which people love. It’s good to give customers a little something back to show our appreciation for their custom.” Chichester is an ideal location for both businesses, with so many young families living in the area and many more visiting each year due to the draw of the nearby coast, the Festival Theatre and other tourist attractions. When it comes to ensuring the survival of independent businesses, Jan said: “In order for small, independent businesses to survive they need visitors and local people to use them, it’s as simple as that.” Peter supports this idea and also believes that recommendations and telling friends can be a simple way to help ensure the survival of the unique array of businesses in the high street. “Chichester’s independent businesses are doing well but they rely on people coming in and seeing what is new and exciting. Many of our customers are people we have met through other customers and recommendations are so important in a town like ours.” While both businesses may have found the perfect home for their unique offering, they don’t take their success for granted. They put a lot of focus on their friendly service combined with a passion and knowledge about their products, offering shoppers of all ages an experience to remember.