independent retail

Strength in numbers: The Arc transforms cafe space into a hub for Bedford’s indie makers

Getting retail to work in the current climate is incredibly hard. Rent, business rates and staffing costs continue to rise, while online competition shows no sign of slowing. None of that is...

Great Bedfordian: Tim Edwards of Beerfly

This month’s Great Bedfordian is Tim Edwards, the host with the most at Bedford’s favourite craft beer shop, Beerfly on St Cuthbert’s Street. Tim is passionate about Bedford’s indie businesses and loves nothing...

From Ampthill to Bedford as new shop opens on Castle Road

Castle Road has welcomed a new business this week, as Absolutely Shabbylass opened its doors on Thursday (1 February), relocating from Ampthill. Maria Harris-Ash opened her shop in...

Council cease funding of annual Totally Locally retail event

Bedford Borough Council has said it will not pay £160 towards this year's Totally Locally independent retail event, despite the support it gives to local businesses. Fiver Fest is a national event run locally...

Bedford indies’ Christmas shopping guide 2022

It's a little-known fact that Bedford has more independent shops than Cambridge, making it the perfect place to find that unique gift for even the hardest-to-buy-for person...

Putting Bedford’s independent retailers on the map this Christmas

According to Gemma Crawley, owner of The Arc on Howard Street, it's never too early to mention the C-word, so she's kicking off Christmas... today. And she's not the...

Increase of independent shops in Bedford highlighted by BBC Radio 4 investigation

The rise in the number of independent shops in Bedford town centre has been highlighted in an investigation by BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme...

Bedford business seeks crowdfunder support to bring Boyds back

2020 has been a unique year for businesses - to put it mildly - but one Bedford couple is facing the challenge head on. Tom and Jess Answer...

The Arc opens its doors following lockdown transformation

The Art Centre and Gallery has undergone a lockdown transformation and this week reopened as The Arc. Run by Gemma Crawley-Roberts, the Howard Street...

Celebrate Bedford’s Slide Record Shop on 20 June with Love Record Stores

Bedford's Slide Record Shop has been featured on Love Record Stores (#LRS) blog, ahead of a full day of celebrating the UK's record stores on 20 May...

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