Stroud is joining over 100 independent high streets across the UK to put on special £5 offers across two weeks in October, in the Totally Locally Fiver Fest.

Fiver Fest is a free to join campaign, devised and run by Totally Locally, a grass roots high street organisation that has been helping businesses and high streets to help themselves since 2010 with incredible results. Fiver Fest has brought reports of new customers, people rediscovering shops they hadn't been into in years and huge sales of £5 offers.

Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce is administering Fiver Fest in the town between 10-24 October. Tony Davey, chair, said: "Fiver Fest is now a big part of our promotions for Stroud. The independent shops and businesses are what makes our town special and unique. We appreciate it when our community supports us, so these offers are to say thank you for that support, and to show just what great value our local businesses are."

Examples of Fiver Fest offers for just £5 across town include: 12 free-range flavoured pork sausages from Waghorne's the Butchers; cajun fried sweet potato burger and polenta fries from Karibu; Orchard Toys snap from Ducklings Toy Shop; 200g Tubby Toms seasoning from Made in Stroud; Mixed £10 earrings for only £5 from Phetsai Designs; bunch of eucalyptus from The Lily Pad Florist; two Marseille soap or friendly soap bars from Cornflower & Calico; and Thought ankle socks from A Brilliant Disguise.

WSP Solicitors, of Rowcroft, Stroud is the lead sponsor for Stroud Fiver Fest.

Tony said: "We are delighted WSP Solicitors approached us again to support this valuable local initiative. The donation that WSP Solicitors has generously made enables us to better promote Stroud Fiver Fest without charge to those participating. This means that even the smallest of independent businesses that operate from physical premises in our town can afford to participate, so it is truly inclusive."

Sixty-seven Stroud businesses have so far registered to be part of the October 2020 event, beating the 56 registrants from February 2020 and 35 a year ago.

Fiver Fest is based on the Totally Locally £5 message: "If every adult in Stroud spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean £4.5 million per year going directly into our local economy. Which can lead to more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy and a nicer place to live."

Chris Sands of Totally Locally said: "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. It's a conversation worth having!"

For any independent business wishing to participate in the Fiver Fest in Stroud, please visit www.stroudchamber.org.uk/fiverfest, where you will also find a map of the businesses taking part.

For further information please see www.totallylocally.org and www.fiverfest.co.uk