Fiver Fest returns to Honiton for second year

Dozens of traders in Honiton are gearing up for another Fiver Fest, following last year's success.

The popular event encourages Honiton residents to support their local, independent shops and to celebrate the town's community spirit and unique, small-town character.

Traders will give back to the community during the Fiver Fest, which takes place in towns worldwide, by offering special £5 promotions in store.

Cafe owner, Cllr Fiona Hanratty, helps organise Fiver Fest and will be writing to the Chamber of Commerce to publicise the details.

She commented: "You can't order a full English breakfast online. Independent cafés like The Lacemaker's, with its super new outdoor seating area, help to make Honiton a destination.

"By breaking just one online, multinational or big chain store shopping habit, everyone can do their bit to help Honiton bounce back from a decline in business that was hitting towns hard, even before Covid."

Owner of Cool Heat South West, Jason Hannay, added: "When we work together, everybody wins. Organisers just ask that traders look to this as not just promoting their own business, but promoting all the independent businesses in Honiton."

Many have noticed a new spirit of cooperation in the town since last summer's Fiver Fest event, with traders supporting each other rather than focusing on competition.

During lockdown, local businesses have proved, more than ever, the pivotal role they play in the wellbeing of our community.

Fiver Fest is a chance for independent businesses to use their collective power to encourage people back to Honiton town centre, to say thank you to customers who supported them during lockdown and to prove once again that the small guys can compete with the online giants and supermarkets.

A feature of last summer's event was Liz Pole's giant foam board.

She will be visiting shops to fill up her Honiton shopping collage again this year, taking photos and helping to promote the deals.

She said: "If you're an independent business in the Honiton area, please get involved.

"We'll provide promo posters for your window, and shout out about your Fiver Fest deal on our social media pages @TotallyLocallyHoniton.

"Email us at [email protected] for more information or to provide details of your Fiver Fest deal."

Fiver Fest is open to all independent businesses in the Honiton area; shops, cafes, restaurants, gyms, market traders, garages, beauticians, butchers, florists, photographers, therapists to name just a few.

Whether located on the High Street, Heathpark industrial estate, or in other outlying areas, all local businesses or independent suppliers are encouraged to get involved.

Cllr Jake Bonetta is supporting the organising team in its preparations for the Fiver Fest and publicising it in a special hand-delivered letter to St Michael's residents.

He said: "What's great is that the Fiver Fest team isn't waiting for the government or some big organisation to do something, it's Honiton's community cracking on and doing it for ourselves."

Helen at Honiton Sports, one of Honiton's Fiver Fest founders, is planning some great health and wellbeing offers.

She said: "One of the Fiver Fest's slogans is 'Shop like your high street depends on it – because it does!' and that rings true.

"Just £5 per week spent at local independents by every adult in Honiton would bring an extra £2.3 million into the local economy.

"We're in a use it or lose it situation where clicking might feel more convenient today, but when shops are gone what's convenient about that?"

Convenience is a byword of Kate Green at The Photography Shop, with her one-hour processing, photo prints, mugs and memorabilia.

She runs the website and does most of the creative work in publicising the event on the Totally Locally Honiton Facebook page and sharing into The Honiton Community group to bring shoppers into the town.

As part of a crop of younger entrepreneurs who have opened up during lockdown, and says Father's Day is likely to be a highlight this time, as well as a special prize draw.

Some of the participants in the 2020 Fiver Fest were; The Lacemakers Cafe, Planet Sal, Combe Farm Shop, A1 Print and Stitch, Manda Matilda Kraft skincare, Pearls Nails, The Kate Dixon Photography Shop, Hillview Floristry, The Honiton Sports Shop, Jippi Jappa, Bruvs Bar, Toast, JK's Bistro, Chippee, Roots to Health, The Honiton Wine Bar, Lombard Antiques, L'Reigns, RKL Tools and Hardware, Pavot, French Hen, Porkies, Paddy the Hypnotherapist, ZEST, Moba Boutique and James's Patisserie and Sandwiches.