24 June 2022
A community celebration is taking place in Southampton next weekend in Bedford Place.
The Bedford Place Summer Festival takes place on Sunday 3rd July from 10am to 4pm and aims to celebrate the area’s bustling community and fantastic local businesses.
The event, now in its fifth year, is organised by local traders to bring awareness to the great local independent businesses in Bedford Place and Carlton Place. The event helps to build on the thriving community and build a healthier local economy that benefits everyone.
Bedford Place will be closed to traffic for the street party-style event, which will feature:
- Lindy Club dance demonstrations
- Jazz and swing music from Still Moving DJs
- A mobile farm featuring donkeys, pygmy goats, rabbits and more
- A variety of local stalls including crafts, food, massage and beauty
- The Sing Now Choir
- Food and drink from local traders
Organiser Caroline Osman, who is the Managing Director of W J French & Son in Bedford Place, said: “We really want to help keep up the community feel where you can have a wander down the road, do some shopping and have a chat with the shopkeeper and fellow customers. It’s important to hang on to personal service, which is becoming harder to do with a fleeting Amazon delivery man and an increase in self-checkout machines appearing. A good retail community can help people interact and help people who are feeling lonely and isolated.”
The event is being supported and sponsored by GO! Southampton, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID). Stephen Manion, the Executive Director of GO! Southampton added: “It is great to see this event back in the city. It shines a light on the wonderful independent businesses in this area and encourages more of that community spirit which we have enjoyed over the recent Jubilee celebrations.”
Residents and visitors to Southampton are invited to enjoy the free entertainment and support local independent businesses at the Bedford Place Summer Festival on Sunday 3rd July from 10am to 4pm.
To find out more about the event visit facebook.com/bedfordplacefestival
