by Rachel Price, Sudbury Town Centre Manager
Go to Week 1:
Sat 1 May | Sun 2 - Wed 5 May | Thurs 6 - Fri 7 May
Get Involved!
Read why we're taking the #ShopSudburyPledge here
Take the #ShopSudburyPledge and you can also take the ultimate pledge here
Join the #ShopSudburyPledge Facebook Group
To launch the pledge, myself and Penny Wilby, owner of the bestof Sudbury are taking the ultimate #ShopSudburyPledge and EXCLUSIVELY shopping local for one month. This is partly to demonstrate the quality and diversity of Sudbury's local businesses, but also that we have everything we need, and more, on our doorstep.
I live local and work, shop and play in Sudbury and the past year has opened my eyes not only to the wide variety of innovative businesses on our doorstep, but the fantastic walks, people and rich heritage that surrounds us - we're incredibly lucky.
I've shopped almost exclusively in Sudbury for over a year and creating Sudbury's Virtual High Street has opened my eyes to the passion and creativity of our local business owners. The Virtual High Street was built to help residents shop and discover local during lockdowns - the resource continues to grow today now with over 130 of Sudbury's businesses listed. These shops, cafes, pubs, hairdressers, and other venues, many of them independent, have gone above and beyond to transform their businesses in the past year to ensure they can stay connected to their customers, and attract new ones. They are the soul not only of the high street, but they are also at the epicentre of our community.
As consumers we need to really think about where we spend and the impact of our shopping habits. For me, why would I want to help some CEO in San Fransisco buy his fifth yacht, have a smashed up box flown across the globe, only to find its not the right fit; when I can take a stroll into town, talk to someone about what I want and support a passionate local independent business owner in the process. The service is personal and the business is responsible for that quality, and if I'm not happy I can just give them a call. Often local business owners will support other businesses in town - the money stays in Sudbury and continues to be re-invested in the community.
This pledge is not a challenge, more an absolute privilege.
Every £1 spent in our town is worth 400% more to the local economy than £1 spent out of it. More local jobs, more local investment, much more eco-friendly and a hundred times funner! Enyoy my ultimate #ShopSudburyPledge diary.
#ShopSudburyPledge Diary
One month of EXCLUSIVELY shopping in Sudbury | 1 - 31 May 2021
Week 1 | Sat 1 - Fri 7 May
Sat 1 May #ShopSudburyPledge
I always get a bit excited on Market Day in town, all our favourite regulars are back and we have some faces who are quickly becoming part of the furniture (one of them actually sells furniture). I was joined by the lovely Penny Wilby, owner of the bestof Sudbury, who 7 years ago took this very pledge to only shop local for the month of May. The #ShopSudburyPledge highlights the vital role we play in keeping our town centre alive and a great place to live, work, shop, socialise and stay.
Here's my haul from Sudbury on Sat 1 May
First stop, Sudbury Market we have a badger family visit our garden so I popped by to see Wayne to buy a big bag of some of old badger's favourite snack - peanuts. The garden birds love them too!
New to #SudburyMarket is the lovely Carla, owner of Soaps n Scrubs where I re-stocked on my favourite aloe & olive oil handmade soap bar and another sisal soap bag - these are a very nifty eco-friendly product!
I paid new Sudbury Market trader The Anglian Beer Company a visit, where Penny and I sampled a few beers to buy 'for our partners' - I came away with a couple of hoppy pale ales and a bitter - very nice they were too.
It's my nephew's 3rd birthday next week so I needed a pressie for the curious little fellow. Found a brilliant 'Wiggly worms' game for him in Duck in Boots on Gaol Lane, an absolute Aladdin's Cave of gift ideas for all ages.
I have a new planter to fill at home in a dry / sunny spot so needed a drought tolerant plant - Dominic of D&Y Plants suggested a pretty rockery plant. Dom is very knowledgeable and his plants are great quality - many are grown from seed by them.
Penny and I were getting peckish so we both bought a lovely fresh filled baguette from Weston's Bakery - they didn't last long.
We swang by the East Street shops to catch up with Ellie (Nell & Green Botantics) and Bridget (Asters Sudbury) - although we didn't buy from them today I realised I was wearing a top I'd bought from Asters online shop over Christmas - which I love!
We also popped in to see Mel, the newest staff addition to Sudbury's (recently relocated) Visitor Information Centre - run by Sudbury Town Council, and open six days a week, this is one of the last remaining dedicated Tourist Information Centres in the region. I already own every local history book sold by the TIC - I'm fascinated by Sudbury's history and architecture - pop in to browse the maps, guides and books on the local area. Noticed our new pop up sign has arrived, printed by local company Auto Innovations.
Sun 2 - Wed 5 May #ShopSudburyPledge
There seems to be a bit of a strong food theme emerging around my shopping habits and thankfully Sudbury has something for every craving.
The weather took a bit of an apocalyptic turn over the bank holiday, so rather than nipping out for an alfresco bite to eat we ordered some pretty incredible burgers from Sudbury newcomer, Burger Amour - their new Sudbury restaurant on King Street is due to open on 17 May when restrictions allow indoor hospitality to open their doors. We ordered buffalo chicken burger, smashed beef burger, rosemary fries, sweet potato fries and some giant battered onion rings. Delicious and delivered straight to our door.
On Tuesday I got takeaway lunch from Bishop's Coffee - a scrumptious camembert toasted panini and a Bishop's Flat White. These guys really know their coffee, the quality is exceptional. This is also a great spot to grab a sandwich with a range of delicious fillings. When you're next in town on a Saturday, don't miss their Mac 'n' Cheese!
Ordered my Cox's Boxes fruit n veg delivery first thing on Wednesday morning, they also stock and deliver products from other Sudbury businesses including Weston's Bakery bread, Suffolk honey and a range of local eggs, dairy and more. Very easy online ordering, they support other local independent businesses and if you forget to order something you can just head over to Sudbury Market. Local win win.
Had a morning meeting over an alfresco coffee at Prado Lounge's outdoor seating area on Market Hill. Fantastic people watching spot and lovely service from the Prado team. Take a look at our guide to dining alfresco in Sudbury.
Week 2 - Sat 8 - Fri 14 May
Week 3 - Sat 15 - Fri 21 May
Week 4 - Sat 22 - Fri 28 May
Week 5 - Sat 29 - Mon 31 May