HASLEMERE is gearing up to celebrate its first Independents' Day on July 4. The town's retailers have put a light-hearted spin on the name and claimed the day for themselves.The traders are planning to celebrate the independent nature of their shops and businesses on July 4, calling it Haslemere Independents' Day. Arya Ingvorsen, President of Haslemere Chamber of Trade, came up with the idea. She said: "Unlike most towns around the country which have the same old multiples, Haslemere has a tradition of independent businesses, which means that we have something different to offer. The town is very pretty and the independent businesses contribute greatly to both the appeal of the area and to the local economy." Mrs Ingvorsen admits that the American Day of Independence did offer some inspiration. She said: "I had a eureka moment when I realised that we needed to do something positive to highlight the town and its independent character. I was musing on this and thought, 'If the Americans can shout about their independence, then so can we!' "We will be borrowing some American traditions such as a Dixie band touring Haslemere and the surrounding villages, and we will have our own troupe of home- grown cheerleaders for the day, but thereafter the event will take on a much more British flavour." Julianne Evans is owner of JL Nobbs, a family newsagent that has been in business in the town for more than three generations. She said she was looking forward to taking part. She said: "Like other businesses in the area, we will be dressing ourselves and the shops in red, white and blue and offering double Haslemere Rewards points for the town's loyalty card scheme. We feel particularly proud to be taking part because our shop has been here as an independent family-run business since 1935 and is still going strong." Melissa King, who manages Marley Flowers, another independently owned family business, said she felt that Independents' Day offered a much-needed boost for small local businesses. "You often read about how well the big supermarkets are doing, but nobody wants to shout about small businesses. This is a chance for all the hard-working independent businesses in our town to have some recognition," she said. "I think Independents' Day is a great idea and I wouldn't be at all surprised if other towns up and down the country decide to adopt the day for themselves come next July 4." Julie Brooker, who runs CoCo Boutique, is looking forward to the touring Dixie jazz band. She said: "It feels good to shout loud and clear about the character that independent businesses bring to our town. You wouldn't expect it in a Surrey town, but Haslemere actually has a lot of verve, which independent businesses bring to the table. Big businesses are often slow to react, but we are able to respond very quickly to our customers' needs. "We do not have to go back to corporate headquarters before we are allowed to jump. This gives us initiative, and that's why I am going to be at the front of the open- topped bus, singing along to that jazz band." Haslemere and its surrounding villages will be decked out in red, white and blue for the event, and participating retailers will be offering double Haslemere Rewards points and other promotions such as special tastings.
