Where: Stroud

When: Saturday, February 15, to Saturday, February 29

WSP Solicitors will be lead sponsors of Stroud Fiver Fest, part of a national initiative supporting local and independent businesses, running from February 15 until February 29.

Fiver Fest is run by Totally Locally and managed by the Stroud Chamber of Trade on a local level. At the last Fiver Fest in October 2019, 63 towns around the country and thousands of independent shops and businesses took part. This year Totally Locally are hoping for this to grow significantly.

Judi Bonham, managing director of WSP Solicitors, said "We are very happy to be sponsoring a fantastic event local to Stroud, which has such a positive message of supporting local and independent businesses. We are looking forward to seeing the impact of this Fiver Fest and more in the future."

Stroud Fiver Fest's ethos is that if every adult in Stroud spent just £5 a week in independent shops and businesses, instead of online or at the big supermarkets, it would be worth an extra £4.5 million per year going into the local Stroud economy, leading to more jobs, a thriving high street, stronger economy and an overall nicer place for us all to live and work together.

To support this, independent businesses within Stroud are being encouraged to sign up and offer a product or service for just £5 for the duration of the event, to really drive home the message of buying locally and the impact it can have.

"Stroud has a wealth of diverse independent businesses, yet also faces many of the challenges high street retailers and businesses face in the current economic climate," said Tony Davey, chair of Stroud Chamber of Trade.

When asked about the popularity of the festival, he said: "Our social media channels are very popular. This, coupled with printed media and radio coverage, has raised awareness of the message and the great businesses we have in our town.

"Many visitors, especially families, used our Stroud Fiver Fest map to discover all the participating businesses and to take advantage of visiting some they may never have visited before.

"We are delighted to have been approached by WSP Solicitors, a well-respected business with a strong history in our town and surrounding area, to support this valuable local initiative.

"The donation that WSP Solicitors has generously made enables us to better promote Stroud Fiver Fest, with its vibrant posters and distinctive theme, without charge to those participating. This means that even the smallest of the independent businesses that operate from physical premises in our town, can afford to participate - so it is truly inclusive."

Having 35 businesses sign up in October and already looking to exceed that for this February, organisers are confident that Stroud Fiver Fest will continue to go from strength to strength and have a fantastic impact on Stroud.

To find out more about Stroud Fiver Fest, please visit their website www.stroudchamber.org.uk/fiverfest  and keep an eye out for shops in Stroud displaying their posters with pride. For more information on WSP Solicitors, visit wspsolicitors.com