RETAILERS and residents have praised the town council’s Back in Business day, which took place in conjunction with VJ Day commemorations.

The joint initiative – held in conjunction with the Haslemere Chamber of Trade – aimed to encourage residents back to High Street, and to support businesses in the town centre, Wey Hill, Hindhead and Beacon Hill.

Haslemere town mayor Councillor John Robini said: “I was really pleased to see how many of our local retailers embraced the event and participated in the window-dressing competition, or even dressed up themselves as some of the staff did.

“I must thank deputy mayor Councillor Simon Dear for transporting me round for the day and also putting together a family treasure hunt for the town which was a great success.

“The winners of the three prizes of £100, £50 and £25 have been notified and will commit to spend their windfall in the town.

“I really want to pass on my thanks to all who contributed to make the event such a success, either by planning, participating or turning up and supporting the event.”

Points were also set up across the town where stall holders set up – with an interest from retailers to have a similar event in the future.

Retailers also said there was an “increased footfall” in the town compared to the previous week – with some remarking this was the first time they had gone to shop in the town centre since lockdown, encouraged by the Back to Business event.

A commemorative ceremony for the 75th anniversary of VJ Day was also held in the town centre at 11am – with the day centred around a 1940s theme – attended by the mayor, deputy mayor, town councillors, the Royal British Legion, local clergy, the town crier and those wishing to pay respects.

The mayor and deputy mayor then drove around the town’s retail areas in Cllr Dear’s vintage Jeep, speaking to retailers and judging the 1940s window-dressing competition.

Cllr Robini said while it was a “tricky decision”, the clear winner was the Haslemere Charity Shop.

Speaking following the event, director of the rebranded town centre coffee shop Heidi, Rory Shanks, said: “I wanted to thank the town council for putting on the Back in Business event.

“While for sure we saw more revenue than we normally would, more importantly it was a great signal that the town was back open and things are ‘happening’ once again – even if in strange new ways!

“I heard many customers remark ‘it’s great to see some life back in Haslemere again’.”