Clay Cross businesswoman hopes 'Fiver Fest' can help struggling independents get back on their feet

A Clay Cross businesswoman hopes this year’s second 'Fiver Fest' can help independents, who were struggling to make ends meet during the Covid-19 lockdown, get firmly back on their feet.
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Gail Hannan, 51, who runs her own tea-blend business called Cup and Saucer on Clay Cross high street, has organised the area’s second ‘Fiver Fest’ discount campaign in the hope it will help reboot the local economy.

FiverFest is a national scheme run by Totally Locally, which encourages independent shops to put on special £5 offers for a limited period to showcase the diverse local products and services on the community’s doorstep.

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The businesswoman estimated that if every adult in Clay Cross spent £5 a week in an independent business it would then generate £2.6m for the local economy.

Gail Hannan has organised the second Fiver Fest in Clay Cross this year.Gail Hannan has organised the second Fiver Fest in Clay Cross this year.
Gail Hannan has organised the second Fiver Fest in Clay Cross this year.

A total of 33 retailers in the area have signed up for the scheme which runs from 10 to 24 October and displays unique £5 offers from a range of businesses such as beauty parlours, cafes and gift shops.

Participating business will have posters displayed in their shop windows to advertise their offer and the surprise bundles will start to be revealed on the Totally Locally Clay Cross Facebook and Instagram pages from Wednesday until Friday.

The Cup and Saucer owner said how she hopes Fiver Fest will help local companies who have struggled to survive during the coronavirus lockdown, get back on their feet.

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"I personally have got a lot of friends who own businesses that have had to close because there's just not been any business and they've really suffered”, Gail added.

Dan Armstrong from Totally Cheesecake in Clay Cross, is one of the retailers taking part in the campaign.Dan Armstrong from Totally Cheesecake in Clay Cross, is one of the retailers taking part in the campaign.
Dan Armstrong from Totally Cheesecake in Clay Cross, is one of the retailers taking part in the campaign.

"Cafes had to be shut for such a long time and certain shops such as myself were shut for two or three months because we didn't meet the criteria to be open during the lockdown so a lot of us have really suffered bad.

"We are wanting to change people's habits - rather than just going to the supermarket thinking you can get everything there, you actually need to bring money back into your own local economy.

"Just spend your £5 each week in the local economy and we can create more jobs and stop little businesses from disappearing.”

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To take part in Clay Cross’ Fiver Fest email Gail via [email protected].

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