Entrepreneurs call on community to use town's traders

THE opening of a menswear shop in Bridlington has sparked a campaign to attract more support for local businesses.

Vincent Clarke, 27, James Watson, 29 and Jack Reed, 26, pooled their resources in March this year to open The Priory – a small store located in Manor Street.

Now, as the store becomes more successful, the entrepreneurs are calling on the community to support local businesses.

The Facebook campaign, Support Local Business – Bridlington, aims to encourage people to support the companies in the seaside town, which help to provide jobs for the community.

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Mr Clarke said: "In Bridlington, people are used to going out of town for shopping. It's a habit now.

"We want to encourage people to shop in Bridlington, as the same products can be bought from us or other local businesses."

Mr Clarke said residents often travel to other places to shop, leaving the Bridlington stores left behind.

He said: "The local shops aren't always utilised.

"There's a chance that, if we don't start using them more, we will lose them."

The Priory has also created links within the community by displaying the works of local photographer Jean Illingworth in the store.

All of the shop's fixtures are borrowed from local antiques store Priory Antiques, too, and can be purchased, helping to illustrate the benefits of collaborating with other businesses.

Mr Clarke said: "I have wanted to do this for a long time.

"People told us we were stupid and that small businesses in Bridlington don't work.

"But we have been trading well in store and online, resulting in us employing two additional members of staff."

Lianne McGuire, 26, who helps Mr Clarke manage The Priory said: "We want to show people we can do it in Bridlington".

Other local businesses are supportive of the campaign.

Speaking on the challenges local businesses can face, Lyndsay Armstrong, of Behind The Times, said the campaign conveyed a real sense of community spirit.

She said: "It can be a struggle for small, local businesses like us.

"Anything promoting local businesses is great".

However, despite the focus on local shops, the campaign is in no way derogatory of larger businesses.

Oakley Wheelwright, of Heart and Home in Bridlington, said: "The campaign is not trying to exclude anybody.

"I think it is brilliant the community is sticking together and people are supporting each other."

Search "Support Local Business – Bridlington" on Facebook or visit www.thepriory for further details.