One more week of local Christmas shopping!

A Christmas thank you, on behalf of our businesses

With just one shopping week left before Christmas, we’re so happy to see that North Devon's residents have continued to give their unwavering support to our high streets following their recent reopening. Many of our town centre shops are reporting that, while it's a little quieter than a 'normal' year, they've been delighted to find their businesses bustling in the last couple of weeks.  So we wanted to say "thank you" and simply ask you to keep doing what you're doing! With only a few shopping days left before Christmas, continue to think local when buying your gifts and goodies. Your custom is just about the biggest Christmas gift you can give to our local business owners, who are so grateful for your ongoing loyalty.

Say hello to our friendly place makers!

If you've been into Barnstaple town centre recently you may well have spotted our new 'place makers' in and around the high street. 

The role has been developed as an additional safety and support measure in the fight against COVID-19. The responsibilities of the place makers are to be a reassuring presence in the high street, help answer questions and provide a friendly reminder to the public and businesses to adhere to government guidelines. 

This should give residents additional confidence that our high streets are safe places to be, encouraging customers back into the town centres to support local retail and hospitality businesses. 

Please say "hello" if you see one of our place makers in town; they'll appreciate the festive cheer! 

Barnstaple businesses get Christmassy!

For a bit of festive cheer, watch our 'Barnstaple gets festive' video on Facebook - showing some of your favourite Barnstaple high street shops, cafes and bars getting Christmassy post-lockdown.

We're sure you'll agree that our local businesses have gone to a huge amount of effort to bring us all that special festive feeling. Our thanks to all these great sports that took part:

• The Crafty Beer Shop
• The Cove Boutique
• Home Sweet Home - Kitchens, Bathrooms, Homewares
• The Cupcakery
• Devon Violet's Fabrics, Gifts & Crafts
• Roots, Devon
• Just Trio
• Pura Vida Stores
• Bazaar
• Lazy Afternoon
• Charlie's Cafe
• Latitude 48

And finally...

This will be your final Live Love Local bulletin before Christmas, so all that remains for us to say is an enormous thank you for your support. We wish you a very happy and safe Christmas.

See you in 2021!

The place maker role is funded by Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, set up by the European Regional Development Fund and Her Majesty's Government. The same fund supports the Live Love Local campaign.