I launched the Council's new 'Buy in Campaign' at Podington Garden Centre last week. I have set up this campaign in order to support our local businesses right across the Borough. During these difficult economic times, it is important that we support our local traders, and buying locally helps our local economy, helps to sustain and enhance our communities and is also good for the environment, of course.
The footfall counters around the town centre showed a staggering 77% increase in the number of people in town during last weekend's Victorian Christmas Fair, in comparison with last year's figures. We extended the fair this year, with the event featuring, for the first time ever, Christmas market stalls along a temporarily-pedestrianised High Street. While there are improvements which can be made if this is repeated, for example the markets company turning the stalls around on the High Street, it was fantastic to see so many people of all ages there and in other parts of town enjoying Bedford at Christmas time.
The prolonged period of snow and freezing temperatures was damaging to local businesses in range of ways, with town centre retailers hit, for example, by reduced numbers of people being able to get into town. To support traders and give local shoppers a boost, we offered free parking on Boxing Day in all town centre multi-storey car parks, with the offer to be repeated on New Year's Day.
