High Street traders see upturn thanks to business support programme

A Hucknall businesswoman says free expert help given to her business has led to an increase in customers and an upturn in trade.

Ashfield District Council teamed up with SaveTheHighStreet.org on a six month programme aimed at revitalising the town’s High Street and shopping centre.

Shops and businesses were given help to unlock new ideas and fresh approaches, designed to increase footfall and make the most of other trading opportunities.

The programme was funded using some of the £3.2 million allocated to Ashfield District Council (ADC) from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) - a fund aimed at building pride in local communities and increasing life chances as part of the Levelling Up agenda.

Lauren Watson set up Guilt Free Pleasures - a gluten free and vegan bakery - eight years as a hobby. She moved into a shop in Annesley Road, Hucknall five years ago.

She said the programme had been fantastic for her business, leading to an upturn in sales and a growing customer base.

“I’d highly recommend it to any local business. To have that expert insight into your business is invaluable. They suggested some small but very effective changes to how we operate – introducing a loyalty card for example, and the way we use our social media channels.

“The results have been fantastic and I’m really pleased I took part in it.”

Hucknall Cllr David Shaw said he was delighted local businesses had seen tangible benefits from the programme.

“High Streets up and down the country have changed significantly in recent years. Retailers and businesses have been faced with some big challenges - the surge in online shopping, the fall-out from the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Ashfield’s High Streets have not been immune from that.

“We know how important they are to our communities and it’s why we wanted to give businesses in Hucknall this fantastic opportunity.

“Our ambition is to make Ashfield a great place to live, work and visit. We continue to secure significant investment across the District and this programme was an illustration of our commitment to help revitalise our High Streets and town centres.”

The Hucknall programme has now finished but SaveTheHighStreet.org continues to encourage businesses in Ashfield to reach out for ongoing support. Whether you missed the initial programme or are looking to build on the progress made, there are still opportunities to benefit from the expert guidance and resources that helped transform local businesses.

The team at SaveTheHighStreet.org remains available for one-on-one consultations to help identify specific areas for further growth, and businesses can still access the digital platform to guide them through the next phase of their development.

How to get involved

If you're a business in Ashfield and want to learn more about available support, or if you missed the programme but are still eager to grow, we encourage you to get in touch. SaveTheHighStreet.org is ready to help you tap into the resources, guidance, and expert advice that can help your business succeed.

For more details on how to get started or email Ashfield@SaveTheHighStreet.org