The city centre has welcomed thousands of shoppers and visitors
Chichester welcomed thousands of shoppers and visitors to the city centre last weekend for Chichester BID’S Super Saturday celebrations.
Opened by Chichester Mayor, Richard Plowman, the day was broadcast live on Spirit FM, which interviewed local shoppers.businesses and
The BID’S Bumper Raffle was the biggest draw of the day, with hundreds of visitors queuing to receive a free ticket for a chance to win one of 23 prizes donated by the Chichester businesses.
The event proved a huge success, with Chichester city centre footfall figures for the day highlighting a 13 per cent increase in visitors on the previous week, with more than 27,000 people visiting the high street.
Prizes included a handbag from Russell & Bromley, Christian Dior sunglasses from Claudine Ickeringill Optometrists and an overnight stay with breakfast and dinner at the popular Chichester Harbour Hotel, among others.
Chichester’s shops and bars also hosted a number of exciting events and offers, including discounted Gin Sips from Sit & Sip, a set of special masterclasses at Space NK, complimentary glasses of Pimms from Katie Loxton and free hand massages at Boots.
Jeanette Hockley, Chichester BID members service manager, said: “We were delighted with the success of Super Saturday. It was great to see so many people turn out to support their city centre and the businesses on the high street. There was a really positive atmosphere and buzz amongst visitors. The aim of the day was to encourage people into Chichester to remind them of what a fantastic city centre we have with such a rich and diverse mix of retail businesses, eateries, pubs and visitor attractions.”
Running from June to August, ‘Love Local, Shop Local’ is a three-month campaign to help champion Chichester. As well as various events and activities, Chichester BID has invested in additional street cleaning and planting as well as bunting and flag displays to help enhance the city.
Love Local, Shop Local campaign
This week we highlight interior designers and stores in Chichester which reflect the creativity found across the city. We spoke to some of the leading retailers and designers in Chichester about what’s new in their stores and the ways that the unique atmosphere of the city supports their business.
Interiors retailer Thru The Looking Glass has a shop in North Street and a furniture showroom nearby.
The business already offers a successful interior design service and has recently introduced a kitchen design service and display models will be on show from next year. Its new website showcases the home interiors store, showroom and interior design portfolio.
Based in Chichester for 25 years, the team at Thru The Looking Glass credits the distinctive atmosphere of the city as part of the company’s success thanks to the variety of businesses that aren’t found on every high street. In addition, the wealth of attractions such as the Festival Theatre and Goodwood help to entice a high volume of customers, both locals and visitors.
Kylie Tosspell, marketing director for Thru The Looking Glass, commented on what it is customers love about them: “The team at Thru The Looking Glass has worked hard over the years to build an excellent reputation in the furniture retail industry.
“We’re a small, independent business with a loyal team of designers and retail assistants who, quite simply, love what they do. As a result, we’re passionate about finding unique products to match our clients’ briefs and love to design bespoke pieces to achieve truly individual designs.”
Parker & Gibbs is a newer arrival having opened its doors in Little London earlier this year but it also acknowledges the vibrant atmosphere of Chichester as an essential element of the business.
Having originally set up in 2017 in Clerkenwell, the owners were forced to look elsewhere when their studio was turned into apartments.
A trip to visit family in Chichester led them to discover Draper’s Yard, which provided a perfect platform for them to build a client base.
Offering a combination of retail and design services, including products from local creators, Parker & Gibbs is passionate about supporting local.
Hannah Gibbs, of Parker & Gibbs, highlighted how the personal touch and relationships with the local community are important to their business: “Helping people with their homes is a very personal process, whether we’re just making a Roman blind or doing a full refurbishment, they’re letting us into their homes and asking for advice.
“Clients know they can pop in to the shop to see us whenever they like to have a good catch up over a coffee from Common Grounds. Conversation will more often than not stray from fabrics into favourite spots in Chichester, from theatre shows to restaurants.”
Both businesses continue to thrive thanks to a range of initiatives to attract customers.
Thru The Looking Glass takes its commitment to customers very seriously and delivers on its promises.
For those looking to buy furniture, there is a £1,000 deposit for design services that is deductible from any furniture bought, a great incentive to choose an independent supplier.
Parker & Gibbs is building on its community ethos by implementing a loyalty scheme. An annual membership provides access to significant savings on curtains, blinds, shutters, mood boards, paints and papers as well as interior design and decorating services.
For anyone looking to revamp their home or make a new place their own, there is plenty to choose from at businesses such as Thru The Looking Glass and Parker & Gibbs, from luxury items to pieces from local creators.
It’s important to support these businesses to ensure that such great services continue to be available.
Kylie explained: “By supporting local, independent businesses, you’ll help attract more tourism and visitors and in the long term, help to create a unique and distinctive identity for Chichester as other independent businesses jump on board.”
Hannah also added: “A little goes a long way. Just a card, a candle, a small gift for a friend or youself, even a kind recommendation, it all helps.”
n Visit www.thruthelookin gglass.co.uk and www. parkerandgibbs.com/