Find out which Hartlepool businesses are offering £5 deals to celebrate the high street

Town shops from cafes, hairdressers, plant shops, opticians and more are joining with over 100 independent high streets across the UK in the Totally Locally Fiver Fest putting on special £5 offers between October 10 and 24.

Thousands of independent businesses are taking part in the campaign to highlight the contribution they make to Britain’s high streets and appealing to consumers to divert £5 of their weekly spend to support the small businesses in their communities.

It is based around the Totally Locally message that if every adult in Hartlepool spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean £20 million a year going into the local economy contributing to more jobs and a better high street.

And it is even more important with the coronavirus pandemic having an effect on the number of people visiting their town and city centres.

Ste Harvey from the town’s Steron Locksmiths said: “Fiver Fest is now a big part of our promotions for Hartlepool.

“The independent shops and businesses are what makes our town special and unique.

"We appreciate it when our community support us, so these offers are to say thank you for that support, and to show just what great value our local businesses are.”

Totally Locally is a grass roots High Street organisation that has been helping businesses and high streets to help themselves since 2010 with impressive results.

This Fiver Fest, Totally Locally is partnering with Visa to encourage even more small business owners to sign up.

Janice Auton from the Love Hartlepool campaign said: “Spending locally to support our local economy in independent businesses is key as we move forward through this pandemic.

"The effort the businesses have made to make your shopping experiences safe is commendable.”

Results of the Hartlepool Mail’s recent Big Conversation online survey found 40% of people said they had visited the town centre a lot less, while 17.9% said they hadn't visited at all.

And 32.8% were not comfortable eating at cafes/restaurants while 39.7% were not comfortable about going to shops and libraries.

Chris Sands of Totally Locally added: “We know Fiver Fest isn’t going to change the world.

“But small changes in spending habits can really make a difference to our high streets.

"Just by diverting £5 of our weekly spend to local independents we give them a fighting chance to thrive.”

Hartlepool businesses taking part in Fiver Fest are: Juniper Lounge, Headland Discount, Plantopia - the plant shop, Stacey’s Gift Shop, Lock Gates, Poppys Hairdressing, Pear Wasp Everything English, Raw35 Photography, The Sensory Spot, Mrs Snowballs, Makeup By Eliza.R, Keith Walker Optical Boutique, The Simple Weigh, Ginge Eco, KraftWork, The Hungry Seagull, Pups and Pals Dog Grooming, Paddy’s Pets, Totes Eco, Candy Shake and Cake, Big Bamboo Lounge, Rummage and Rootle, The Banyan Tree Yoga Studios, Little Sew n Sews, Atterway House Lettings Sales & Commercial, Gamers-at-Hart café and Miss Sally Bow Chique.

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