The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 50: Aug/Sept 2020 | Page 12

LOVE LOCAL love local a community responsibility We’ve launched a Love Local initiative (#LoveLocalWilts), a 15 week campaign between now and 13th November to encourage people to buy local, explore Wiltshire’s amazing towns and city and support the many independents which make this area so unique. As we all gradually move out of lockdown, the impact on the retail trade, town and city centres is becoming clear. Covid-19 has had a dramatic affect. To save and support our retail sector we have to form a habit of buying local where possible. Over the next four months we will be putting the spotlight on 15 Wiltshire towns and the county’s only city, Salisbury. Recovery is not just down to government and local authorities, it’s also down to the communities across Wiltshire to support each other, invest locally in talent and suppliers, as well as visiting local shops and retailers to purchase their goods. In this edition we put the spotlight on the first 8 towns in our campaign, Chippenham, Old Town Swindon, Malmesbury, Swindon, Corsham, Westbury, Bradford on Avon and Royal Wootton Bassett. Follow the campaign on social media #LoveLocalWilts and see our daily posts on the website, www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk. Chippenham sponsored by Goughs Solicitors Chippenham is an historic market town which it’s believed was first established in a loop of the River Avon dating back to Roman Times. It grew over the years and still has its medieval history within its streets such as the Buttercross, built around 1570 and the Yelde Hall. It grew with the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1841. Today it’s a thriving and growing town with a population of about 45, 000. Love Local Chippenham is sponsored by Goughs Solicitors. Goughs provide expert legal services for you, your business and your family. They have offices throughout Wiltshire with two bases in Chippenham, one on New Road in the centre of the town and the other on Greenways Business Park. The Greenways office opened earlier this year becoming the firm’s 7th office. Goughs has been a prominent feature of the Wiltshire high streets since 1882 and takes pride in being part of the community. Anne Felmingham, Partner and Head of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence said, “Chippenham is such an incredibly friendly town. People really get to know each other and there is a great sense of community. I tend to find my clients that are local to Chippenham feel that we are an extension of their family.” Gemma Sumsion, Equity Partner and Head of Commercial added, “What I love most about working in Chippenham is the diverse business community, connections to the wider south west with having the motorway links and train line on our doorstep and the future growth potential of the town. “ 5 CHIPPENHAM BUSINESSES YOU MUST CHECK OUT! 1. COATES FLORIST - 25 Market Place, is a florist and small growers. It has established a reputation for offering a friendly reliable service and always sourcing the best quality flowers and plants. It also stocks an extensive gift range. Find out more here: www.coatesflorist.co.uk 2. COPPER & BLOSSOM is a photography business run by Kate Southall. Kate offers wedding, portrait, corporate and lifestyle photography, delivered in a documentary style. Find out more here: www.copperandblossom.co.uk 3. PAPRIKA GIFTS - 2a Borough Parade is a brand created in 2003 by Anne Anderson when she opened her first shop in Bath, then later opened her second shop in Chippenham. Paprika Gifts offers gifts, homewares and fashion items. Find out more here: www.paprikagifts.co.uk 4. OUTFIT 78 - 5 Emery Gate Shopping Centre, is a men’s clothing store run by Aaron Gale and Gemma Ward. It stocks a mix of well-known men’s brands. They also have a kid’s range from 8-15. For more info: www.outfit78.com 5. GRAHAM & GREEN - Unit 1, Bumpers Way, is home to the Graham & Green Warehouse Outlet a little-known gem selling home furnishings. This indie brand that started out in London moved its HQ to Bath in 2016 and opened its warehouse outlet store in Chippenham around the same time. The outlet offers up to 50% off limited edition samples, discontinued collections and selected seconds. Find out more here: www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/about/stores/ warehouse-outlet/ Visit The Business Exchange website and follow the #LoveLocalWilts hashtag on social media to see our Chippenham Love Local coverage thanks to Goughs Solicitors. Chippenham kicked off our Love Local Wilts campaign 1st -7th August 12 www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk