Boost local economy by spending a ‘fiver’

National campaign ‘Fiver Fest’ is coming to the Harborough District for the first time and runs from Saturday 5 October to 12 October 2019.

Harborough Market, Harbs Collective and Taste Harborough members have come together with a host of independent businesses, cafes, shops, and market stalls, all showcasing special £5 offers for the duration of the campaign, with the aim to boost the district’s economy and to showcase what makes the district’s independent businesses so special.

The ‘Fiver Fest’ idea sprang out of the national Totally Locally campaign – which promotes ways to make towns more vibrant and resilient – as a way to promote the huge impact that spending just £5 extra per week in local independent businesses can have across the UK’s High Streets.

Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: "We are all aware of the challenges faced by our High Streets at present, and there is no easy solution, but this campaign highlights that small actions can make a huge difference if people make tiny changes to their shopping habits.”

The Totally Locally campaign have estimated that If every adult in Harborough spent just £5 extra per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would bring an estimated £17.8 million per year extra into the local economy.

Maria Arnesson, Taste Harborough Co-ordinator and local business owner, said: “Independent businesses and shops are the heart of our community; they make our high street and towns unique. When they thrive they create not only jobs, but cohesive towns and strong economies. The Fiver Fest campaign is a great opportunity for people to visit places in Harborough they may not have seen before and to boost our local economy at the same time.”

Find out more about Fiver Fest at www.totallylocally.org/stuff/fiver-fest