How do you inject a local parade of shops with a strong identity, a warm welcome and a huge helping of fun? That was the question Claire Beauchamp-Ward, our dynamic manager of Prickett & Ellis Alexandra Park Road office, asked herself as she reflected on the Shop Local organisation’s call to action for the weekend of the 5th December.
It was a joy to see the Prickett & Ellis office full of happy shoppers
Claire came up with the idea to give the parade a strong brand which would help put the great independent shops and businesses on the map. All the local traders could work together from time to time to promote the shops and confirm their place at the centre of the community. The name Alexandra Park Road Parade was approved and Kaye of Zebra Ceramics did a wonderful job of creating a facebook page and twitter account. An inaugural Christmas Fair event on Shop Local weekend seemed the perfect start to what everyone hopes will be a very successful organisation at the heart of the community.
The Alexandra Chorus filled the street with festive carols outside Owen’s
As an estate agent, Claire felt strongly that the charity Shelter should benefit from a fundraising effort on the day. The Owen family led by Simon Owen of Owen’s Foodstore hosted the delightful Alexandra Chorus, led by Veronica Chacon, making a considerable contribution to the overall total for Shelter. The carol singing really added to the general festive atmosphere and Veronica commented, ‘it was a privilege to feel at the heart of our community’. Everyone worked hard to raise a fantastic total of over £800. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed with their time, effort and cash. Walking up the street on Sunday I was struck by the great atmosphere, with people of all ages joining together to have fun, eat, drink, sing, joke and shop, of course. Overall the event was nothing short of a spectacular success.
Claire Beauchamp-Ward (second from left) sells her home made preserves in aid of Shelter.
So that, in brief, is how to put a local shopping parade on the map. Many people worked hard to make it happen but we want to single out Claire for praise who had a good idea and galvanised everyone involved to create a new and, hopefully, long-lived entity – the Alexandra Park Road Parade. Thank you Claire.
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