A market town in the English countryside is thriving with independent shops and a strong sense of community that locals say is an important part of the fabric of the area. There are concerns for the UK high street around the country, as businesses struggle to compete with the convenience of online shopping and large chains opening more stores in Britain. However, the key to a thriving high street, town centre, and independent business scene seems to be an unwritten agreement between business owners and locals.
One town that seems to have got the potion right is Ludlow, located amid the scenic countryside of Shropshire. Ludlow is a relatively small town with a population of around 10,000 residents. Here, there is a high concentration of independent businesses, from a small department store to craft shops and cafes. While other high streets in the UK become empty of such services, many in Ludlow understand what’s needed to keep these businesses alive and well.
One business owner explained how the community supports them and how they support the community right back. Bodenham’s is a small department store selling women’s and men’s clothing, gifts, accessories, and more. The store has been selling these goods to the town for five generations, and co-owner Monika Curry now runs it alongside her husband.
She explained to the Daily Express how important Bodenham’s is to the community and how important the community is to Bodenham’s. Monika revealed: “We are trading in a 600-year-old building, which is quite a landmark for the town.
“We have generations coming to us. I know customers who are in their 50s coming to us, who used to come to get their own school uniforms here. Now they are coming in with their children and their grandchildren as well. Customer loyalty is a big thing.
“As independent business owners, we do give a lot back to the community. Socially, we get a lot of people coming through the door – some elderly customers who probably don’t see anyone else all day. They come in for a chat. That is part of their everyday. We still have butchers and bakers. The market is also quite important. It’s all part of the community. “
Ludlow’s open-air market takes place in the Market Square every Monday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year, with Wednesday markets from April to September.
Monika believes that the local people of Ludlow fully realise the importance of independent businesses. According to estimates from 2022, there were over 70 independent shops in the town, without counting independent cafes.
She said: “From that point of view, I think that’s why local people really love their independent shops in Ludlow. Obviously, the history of Ludlow, with its beautiful countryside and castle, ticks all the boxes for the tourist trade in Ludlow.
“We get day-trippers from around a 50-mile radius. That’s sort of our cream on the cake for the local trade. That’s why the small independent businesses are thriving here.”
While some families have lived in Ludlow for generations, other locals are newer arrivals. One of those is Steve Holder, who is about to retire after a successful career as a sports physio.
He fell in love with Ludlow after his first visit there for a concert at the castle. He has visited a number of times since and eventually decided to move there when he found a small home.
“I’m in love with the place because of the walks, the forests, it’s more peaceful,” he said. “I loved it so much I’ve decided to sell up and I’m hopefully moving in September time.”
He described the appeal of the community in the town. He said: “One of the things is community coming together to support one another. There is a lot of community activity, community shops, and different trades within the community supporting each other.
“With the decline of the high street or the town centres in the UK, I’d say Ludlow’s got quite a strong marketplace and town centre. They’ve put in a really great market that I’ve been to.
He added: “It’s not too cut off. It’s got good connections with the train lines. There’s the opportunity to go into Wales. Visit the coast just an hour on the train.”