Newark shop owner encourages people to shop local with campaign organised by Not On The High Street founder

A Newark shop owner has been selected to take part in a national campaign encouraging people to buy local and support independent businesses.

Carly Carpenter, who runs Flossie & Boo in the Market Place, applied to take part in Campaign Shop Independent, an initiative organised by Not On The High Street founder Holly Tucker.

The business owner received one of 300 poster packs, which she will now use to advertise the campaign around Newark.

“We have got so many lovely independent shops in Newark. So many people have been negative about the town recently, but if you just walk around you can see how many independent shops we’ve got,” Carly said.

Campaign Shop Independent launched at the start of June, and the month’s events will culminate in Shop Independent Day tomorrow.

The mum will also be taking part in the Newark Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, September 19, with the Independent Racing Team to raise money for Beaumond House Hospice Care and the Children’s Bereavement Centre.

Carly is passionate about independent businesses, and hopes more people will shop locally as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

She opened her shop, which sells children’s toys, in October 2019 and operated a click and collect service during the national lockdown.

Despite not being able to open to the public, she said the business still saw a good amount of returning customers.

Carly said: “We have been really lucky. So many people have come since we have opened. We have had lots of new customers since lockdown and the people that did come during lockdown have stayed.”

The 36-year-old also sells pre-loved children’s clothing in her shop, Pre-loved At Flossie & Boo, and receives garments from more than 700 customers.

To learn more about Campaign Shop Independent, click here.