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Valentine's Day

Love Is In The Air This Valentine’s Day

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Love is in the air in Kidderminster town centre in the run up to Valentine’s Day. At Kidderminster BID we have been out looking for perfect presents and ideas for what to wear on the most romantic night of the year.

Vegan Friendly Boots – Available at New Look

We’re urging everyone to shop local. You will find everything you need in the town centre to spoil your loved one with the perfect Valentine’s Gift. Or why not treat yourself instead, there’s no reason why your gift can’t be from me to me.

If you’re going out on a hot date, there are plenty of great restaurants and pubs to choose from in Kidderminster.

We’ve seen some great outfits for you to wear too. If you can’t get glammed up on Valentine’s Day, then when can you?

Make Valentine’s Day 2022 the most romantic yet with help from B&M. You can shop their huge range of affordable Valentine’s gifts from perfumes for her, chocolate boxes and sweet treats- there’s something to keep everyone happy. Their heart lantern is a real bargain.

Heart Lantern – Available at B&M

If it’s beauty and fragrance you are looking for Boots in Weaver’s Wharf can help you show a bit of extra love.

Treating yourself to a dreamy Valentine’s outfit is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day so why not go along to New Look in Weaver’s Wharf. Love is in the air at M&S too, whether you are looking for something to wear, or want to celebrate by dining in with chocolates and thoughtful gifts.

Valentine’s Food & Drink – Available at M&S

Jewellery is a sure way to show a special someone how much they’re loved. At Warren James in Kidderminster, you’ll find jewellery to cherish forever at amazing prices you’ll love.

We found a fantastic Ted Baker bag at TK Maxx in Weaver’s Wharf, and we have been looking at gift sets there too.

Pixi Skincare – Available at Tkmaxx

It’s the perfect time of the year to show your love for the planet too. Kemp Hospice shop on Coventry Street and St Richard’s Hospice shop on the High Street are the ideal choice to re-use, re-purpose and recycle if you’re browsing for something to wear.

Make this a Valentine’s Day to remember by shopping in Kidderminster and you’ll be supporting our local businesses at the same time.   

John-Beard-News

Faces of Kidderminster – John Beard Tools & Ironmongery

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John Beard has been a well-known face in Kidderminster for decades.

He set up John Beard Tools & Ironmongery in 1977, along with his wife Beryl. And it is still going strong.

John grew up in Kidderminster and went to Lea Street First and Sladen Secondary schools as a boy.

He went straight into the ironmongery trade when he left school at 15 and was employed by a local hardware store. He then became a sales representative before setting up his own business.

The traditional family run shop, in Bridge St has been providing builders contractors, repairmen, and private homeowners with quality products and expert services for years.

The stock is vast, everything from buckets and bins, to screwdrivers, spanners, locks, hinges, spades, can openers, knives, and hoses.

As well as traditional tools and ironmongery the shop has a wide range of home essentials. They also specialise in key cutting, trophies, medals, pet tags and engraving.

We are a friendly business, and we provide good customer service,’ said John.

‘Whatever business you’re in, you’ve got to know what you’re selling and buying.

‘We have regular customers and many of them have been coming for years. We appreciate their business. A lot of them are friends now. If they are passing and don’t need anything they will still pop in and have a quick chat.’

John’s business won national recognition in 1998 when it earned the Government Consumers First Award. There were 500 nominations across the UK.

His sons Melvyn, Alan and Andrew are all in the business too.

John is a lifelong supporter of Kidderminster Harriers and is also interested in classic cars.

‘I was born in Kidderminster and I know a lot of people,’ he said. ‘It’s a nice place to live and have a business. People in the town are very friendly and there is a good sense of community.

‘My family and I are proud of the service that we have been able to provide for the town.’

John is pictured with his son Alan

Geek Retreat

Faces of Kidderminster – Geek Retreat

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We are planning to introduce you to some of the fabulous people in our Kidderminster businesses during the next few months.

Stefan Austin is the owner of a new shop in Kidderminster town centre which is on a mission to share a love for all things geeky. The store, in Worcester Street, has had a busy start and is so popular there was a queue outside on the day it opened.

Geek Retreat is aimed at fans of gaming, sci-fi, anime and superhero movies. It sells collectables, trading card games, board games, American candy and milkshakes and is a friendly place to meet, eat, trade and game.
‘The idea is to make a community hub for geeks to enjoy,’ said Stefan who opened the shop with his wife Natalie at the end of April. He also launched an e-commerce store earlier in the year.

Geek Retreat

Stefan used to own a carpet and vinyl shop which was also on Worcester Street. ‘I was good at my job before, but it was just work for me,’ he said. ‘This doesn’t feel like work. It is also my passion. I really look forward to being here. It’s great to talk to people who want to talk to you about their interest. The time just flies by.’

Stefan refurbished a vacant unit, and did a lot of the work himself, with support from family and friends. ‘It means such a lot to me to see it all come together. I’m really proud of how it looks’ he said.
‘It was fantastic to open he doors, and quite emotional. There were people waiting outside for an hour before. We sold a lot of the stuff within a few days of opening and we have had to get more stock in.
‘People are really pleased there’s something like this around here. It’s a bit different.’

The store has attracted customers from Kidderminster but also further afield including Dudley and Worcester.

‘We’re not far from the train station and so it is easy for people to get to us,’ he said. ‘It’s something for visitors to the town to do but is also a place for people who want to come regularly. People are desperate to go out and do something. I feel there was a real need in Kidderminster for something like this. Geek culture is becoming more popular.
‘I want the shop to have an open friendly atmosphere.’

Stefan believes more independent stores will open in Worcester Street. ‘I think the rents in Worcester Street are reasonable,’ he said. ‘I feel we can go from strength to strength.’

Kiddy Proud

Join Us For Kiddy Proud

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Kidderminster Business Improvement District is holding a fun event in the town centre on Friday August 27th 2021.

There will be music, stalls and a dance performance at Kiddy Proud which is being held from 11am to 3pm.

Children will be able to enjoy free activities. Entertainment will include a stilt walker, and ponies and alpacas. The ponies will be at Weavers Wharf courtesy of Phoenix Children’s Foundation and the alpacas in the courtyard of the Town Hall. The Kidderminster Harriers will have some fun and free children’s activities including ‘beat the goalie’ and their coach will be on hand.

The West Mercia Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, the Specialist Operations Unit and Army Reserves will be on hand to meet and greet.
There will be live performances by J’s Dance Academy and Teach Me Music Academy. The dance academy will be performing at 1:30pm outside the Swan Centre. In the case of inclement weather, head to the Town Hall where the dance performance will take place indoors, along with the Greener Living Event.

On the same day The Swan Shopping Centre will be celebrating 50 years in the town centre. They will be offering free arts and crafts for children between 11am and 3pm. At 1pm Sammy Swan will be unveiling the new art work and there will be free goody bags including crafts and sweets (*while stocks last).

There will also be an opportunity to win a K’Nex Ferris Wheel worth approximately £150. The prize is courtesy of The Entertainer and other prizes will also be available on the day.

Kiddy Proud

Ros Darby, Chair of the Business Improvement District and Manager of the Swan Centre said: ‘This is a great opportunity to get local people back into the town. It’s been a tough 18 months, and this is to show that we’re here to come together and appreciate everything the town centre has got to offer.’

Kidderminster BID Manager Alex Powell said: ‘Kiddy Proud is going to be a great summer event.
‘There is a fantastic community in Kidderminster and this is an opportunity to enjoy the celebratory atmosphere with friends and family.’

The Kidderminster Greener Living Event will also be taking place on the same day from 11am to 3pm in the Town Hall. A wide range of organisations will be on hand to provide useful information and advice on all things green. Learn how to reduce the amount of waste produced through cutting down on food waste to home composting, reducing single use plastics, as well as information on reuse, repair and how to recycle more.

Free children’s craft activities will also be on offer in the Town Hall as part of the Greener Living Event.

Event Programme and Times

There will be entertainment for all on August 27th 2021 including:

  • J’s Dance Academy performance, 1:30pm outside the Swan Centre
  • Kidderminster Harriers ‘beat the goalie’ game
  • Stilt walker entertainment
  • Music with Teach Me Music Academy (live band at 1pm and PA system 11am – 3pm)
  • Alpacas in the town hall courtyard
  • Ponies at Weavers Wharf
  • Free chalk drawing 11am – 12:30 outside the Town Hall
  • Stalls including:
    • West Mercia Police Special Operations Unit and the Neighbourhood Team
    • The Army Reserves
    • Refreshments
  • Running at the same time 11am – 3pm, Wyre Forest Green Alliance have organised the ‘Greener Living Event’ taking place in the Town Hall
  • The Swan Centre will be celebrating their 50 year anniversary. There are prizes to be won at the Swan Centre and the unveiling of their new artwork with Sammy Swan at 1pm and free craft activities for children in the shopping centre.

For further information please contact:
Alex Powell
Mobile: +44 (0)7842 894198
Email: Alex@kidderminsterbid.co.uk

ShopAppy

Show your business love with ShopAppy

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What is ShopAppy?

ShopAppy.com is a “Shop & Support Local” website supported and backed by VISA, making it easier than ever for people to browse, book & buy from their local businesses at their convenience. We call this, “Convenience with a local Conscience” At ShopAppy.com our mission isn’t to create more online shoppers but create a community of local shoppers that can opt to shop in the way they choose.

Our high streets are under threat and physical spend is quickly moving online and this has been accelerated by COVID-19 with £1 in every £3 now being spent with larger online retailers like Amazon. ShopAppy.com disrupts this behaviour by providing shoppers with all the products and lovely independent shops in their area – a one-stop-local-online-shop!

Implementing Click and Collect and a single delivery service makes it easier than ever for people to support their local economy and their favourite businesses and this is a surefire way to preserve the uniqueness and character of a town. ShopAppy.com is shopping that truly makes you feel good.

At ShopAppy.com we want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to get on board. With this in mind, the vendor dashboard is extremely easy to use and the ShopAppy.com team is always on hand to help.

We don’t take any commissions on sales only passing on their card processing fees of 2% and ShopAppy.com have partnered with Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership to offer FREE use of the platform for 12 months to all businesses in Kidderminster.

Please get in touch with us today to discover more. 

Email Shop Appy direct at:

hello@shopappy.co.uk

Or, if you need support understanding the platform contact: 

Email: alex@kidderminsterbid.co.uk

Tel: 07842 894198 

You may also contact our Rangers

Email: rangers@kidderminsterbid.co.uk

Becky: 07923 257760

Yasmin: 07923 257759

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