COLUMN: Support your independent shops

July 4, is as you all know American Independence Day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.

July 4 is also Independent Retailer’s Day, when towns up and down the country including Spalding, recognise the many unique independent shops that we have.

Our independent shops make Spalding town centre what it is and differentiates it from all other towns; without them, it would just look like a cloned town with just lookalike national shops; not that I am knocking the national shops, as they too provide an essential service.

But what a truly independent shop brings to the town and the consumer, is that something different and a bit special, most probably of a slightly higher quality than elsewhere and if it’s a piece of jewellery or a party dress, you are more likely to be the only person wearing it at your annual dinner or family wedding.

It is really important to buy local and support your independent shops; it not only supports local jobs, but keeps Spalding unique.

I spent last Saturday singing at Hunstanton in Norfolk on the sea front, assisting Harold Payne from the Anglia Motel and his band of WW2 re-enactors to raise money for injured soldiers and to assist Normandy veterans to undertake their annual pilgrimage to France.

This was very enjoyable and I met a great number of people, both on holiday and those living in Hunstanton, who were generous both in their praise and giving.

Harold, is running a similar event at the Anglia Motel over the weekend of July 4 and 5, so please go and support this event if you can, there are many veterans in Spalding, two of whom fought on the beaches at Normandy, that will benefit from your contribution.

Many people have questioned the idea that Spalding can continue to be a tourist destination post the demise of the flower parade.

Last Friday I invited a group of 30 German visitors, who are members of the Grantham Twinning Association, to the town, as part of their annual four-day visit to the UK.

They began with an excellent visit to the Chain Bridge Forge where they were treated to an interesting talk on the history of the old Spalding port and the work the forge did to keep the working boats on the river.

Two of the visitors were allowed to make a metal coat hook, under the supervision of a very talented young blacksmith, who has recently graduated from Hereford University; we are extremely fortunate to have him living and working in Spalding.

Following a bout of shopping and lunch (don’t say that I never do anything to raise the footfall in Spalding) they spent a couple of hours looking around Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens, which were magnificent, particularly as Friday was a sunny day.

We then boarded a flotilla of four water taxis and made the 40-minute journey to Springfields along the River Welland and the Coronation Channel, in order to wander around the beautiful Festival Gardens and of course do a bit more shopping.

The feedback from our German visitors has been very positive and it has shown me that Spalding can be an interesting and enjoyable part of a wider visit to south Lincolnshire.

Please be positive about the town and tell your family and friends about what Spalding has to offer.

By Dennis Hannant

Spalding Town Centre Manager