“Independents Day”  is July 4th, but the whole month is being given over to promoting small businesses by the Bedford Business Improvement District (BedfordBID)

Bedford is known as a town of 100s of independent shops and services: small but successful businesses who have close links with their local communities.

These have benefitted from promotions under BedfordBID’s  Love Bedford brand which reaches out to customers near and far.

A Business Improvement District has an official status under which businesses vote to support the organisation. In short, only the bigger businesses pay, the smallest still benefit. Under Covid regulations, BID levies were suspended nationally. But, the good work went on in Bedford with an “Open for Business” campaign run before and during various restrictions, not least by highlighting the online operations launched by agile outlets.

“We have responded to the many changes and challenges of the past year by promoting how businesses were still open, whether online or by click and collect. Despite the current delay in lifting certain restrictions, most of our businesses are Open for Business in some shape or form,” said Christina Rowe, Director of BedfordBID,

“We are pushing Independents Day/Month in July to remind people that Bedford is a great place to visit with lots on offer day and on summer nights. There is so much choice in town among retailers and restaurants, and services continue to thrive.”

Find out more about what’s happening in Bedford in July by logging on to lovebedford.co.uk