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28 August 2026
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Shop Local

The Bedford & Co area at The Arc in Bedford. The shop stocks local independent businesses.

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...
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Gemma Crawley-Roberts of The Arc, pictured sitting in the middle of the shop, wearing a Bedford Innit t-shirt and surrounded by bright products

Bedford & Co. launches at The Arc to prove our town’s independent spirit is alive and kicking

We've all suffered the misfortune of hearing someone utter the phrase, “there’s nothing in Bedford"; but Gemma, the unstoppable force behind The Arc, is here to politely but firmly prove...
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Bedford Flea stalls on Harpur Square in April 2025

Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market finds a new home in Harpur Square

One of our favourite events, the Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market, is back with its first market of 2026, and we can’t wait. The usual eclectic mix of traders can be...
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Michael R Peters' original shop front on the Broadway. Image Michael R Peters

Michael R Peters: A Bedford institution celebrates 60 years in business

This year, one of Bedford town centre's most trusted and well-loved shops is celebrating its 60th year in business. Michael R Peters first opened its doors in November 1966...
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X owner, Elon Musk, at a launch of Grok 3 in February 2025. Grok 4 was later released just five months later in July. Image: bella1105/Shutterstock

Bedford Ian writes…

6 February 2026: X marks the not, Tinsel trouble, Shop local... elsewhere, and Facepalm parking. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he...
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The Twelve Days of Bedford Indies…

This month, we've taken our love of Bedford's independent shops and businesses to its logical conclusion and rewritten The 12 Days of Christmas as an ode to them...
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Colourful fruits and vegetables set out on stalls at the Fruit & Veg Shop Bedford, Silver Street. Image: Bedford Independent

Letters: New town centre shop is a delight

A Bedford Independent reader and local town centre shopper has written in to tell us they think a new shop that has opened up on Silver Street selling fruit and veg is a delight...
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Stocking up at The Store. Image Charmain Lines

Announcing the latest £50 #BoughtInBedford winner

What a perfect start to the festive season for our latest #BoughtInBedford winner, Charmain. She had a fabulous shopping spree in Bedford's independent shops, starting at The...
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The logo for the Bedford Clanger's Bought in Bedford Christmas 2025 magazine. Your guide to shopping, food and drink this festive season.

It’s beginning to look a lot like… Bought in Bedford Christmas 2025

The wait is over - the 2025 Bought in Bedford Christmas magazine is now out and ready to inspire with gift ideas, food and drink recommendations, our festive what's on guide...
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A photograph of a takeaway coffee cup and the remains of a doughnut at Say Doughnuts, tagged #BoughtInBedford

Life is sweet for winner of latest #BoughtInBedford £50 voucher

Through our Bought in Bedford campaign, we are sharing the love for our Bedford Indies and giving away a £50 voucher every month this year to one of our readers to spend in their favourite...
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