Traders on a village high street have brightened spirits and footfall by joining together to recite a video poem written by a local business.
As the high street battles survival in a digital age and deals with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, one high street took it upon themselves to do something about it.
Businesses in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, wanted to do something that would join the “close-knit” traders together even more and “champion” the local shops – by reciting a poem on video from local business, The Pretty Witty Company.
Sally Rosser, co-owner of the business, who specialise in bespoke poetry commissions, said the idea came from a mutual friend who spoke to some of the businesses about the “dire nature” of trade.
“She heard that many shops might have to close imminently if nothing was done to boost footfall. She [had] also seen our social media, which during the Covid years, involved efforts to boost people’s spirits, as well as championing our local shops,” Sally told Oh My Goodness.
In the video, the poem is read aloud by a variety of traders on Chalfont St Peter high street from staff at crafts and fancy dress shops, to cafes, grocers, restaurants and bars, and showcases a close and friendly community determined to save its businesses.
The story behind Sally’s company is one that speaks of the sense of community of the high street, with both owners, Sally and Jeanette, two friends who are also neighbours.
The poem’s message of “we aren’t big faceless shops or Bezos in his tower,” is one that highlights the people power of the high street.
“They’re a pretty close-knit high street overall, the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, works tirelessly to promote the businesses in our village, welcoming new ones and featuring established ones, whilst being super busy running her own gorgeous shop.
“On every high street there’s bound to be competition and a sense of rivalry amongst certain businesses, however, the shared blitz spirit at the moment is a real thing. There’s a genuine buzz,” she added.
Chalfont’s high street is not without its challenges besides online shopping, with flood issues regularly limiting main access to the village and businesses, meaning that for some, visiting supermarkets outside the centre, or shopping online is seen as the easiest option.
But Sally says that despite the challenges, Chalfont is a place that keeps business in “people’s minds”, regularly highlighting in a newsletter a ‘lovely local’ and it’s tight-knit community is one that must not “lose its heart”.
Something Pretty Witty Company has tried to do itself by supporting and designing Christmas cards for a local charity Liberty’s Legacy, which has seen thousands of pounds raised.
Sally asserts that shopping local does not just support local businesses, but does its bit in helping the planet.
“A pound spent in your local shops is a pound of great value. Not only have you had to work so hard to have it in your pocket, but it makes such an immediate and material difference to a shopkeeper or cafe owner. If the shopkeepers earn more, they also spend more and local economy grows.
“It’s sustainable too – so you’re also doing a bit for the planet – and it has such a compound economic effect. You might not be able to help a global crisis in a meaningful way – but you can make a difference to the problems on your own doorstep,” she said.
But Sally is upbeat about the future of Chalfont St Peter’s high street, especially this festive season.
“We have lots of choirs performing from all the local schools – it really is the place to be. We even managed to find a few lights this year.”