The popular village of Ruddington is enjoying something of a retail revival, despite the pandemic. Several new shops have opened on the High Street, including butchers Elms Farm and creative gifts company Debbie Bryan.
‘Shop Local’ is a growing trend driven by people rediscovering the independent outlets on their doorstep. Before the pandemic struck, Ruddington was becoming a popular day-out destination for visitors from across the region, attracted by the variety of shops, cafes, museums, and the Rushcliffe Country Park. The monthly Village Market, which celebrates its second anniversary on Saturday 6th February online during the lockdown, with a virtual market on Instagram Live.
Lockdown has not deterred the award-winning Ruddington Village Centre Partnership from its task in helping the village centre to thrive. January can be a quiet month for retailers, so on Saturday 16th January the ‘Ruddy Good Popup Trail’ will run from 10 am – 4 pm. Shopkeepers will join forces with a selection of craft makers stalls, and subject to any further COVID restrictions, visitors can buy a few treats and enjoy the hospitality of the takeout coffee shops.
The Ruddington Village Market was singled out by Rushcliffe Borough Council for its contribution to the local economy at the recent Business Awards. Announcing the winner, presenter Andrew James said, “Congratulations to Ruddington Village Market for winning Business of the Year, the second successive award for an enterprising project which makes up part of Ruddington Village Centre Partnership. As soon as certain restrictions were lifted, Ruddington Village Market came up with a plan to provide a safe and socially distanced market on the village green. They’ve worked alongside local businesses to provide a monthly market which is not only safe but is bigger and better than pre-COVID.”
Ruddington Village Centre Partnership used a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to create a Christmas lights display in place of the Christmas Market, and has benefited from the strong support and encouragement of both the Parish and Borough Councils. In return, RVCP is working in partnership with YouNG to mentor the next generation of market traders. Go to https://www.ruddingtonvillagemarket.co.uk/yep for more information.
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