Eagle-eyed viewers may have recognised one of Frome’s much-loved independent shops as it was featured in an uplifting ITV News story last Wednesday.
Winstone’s Hunting Raven Books was held up as a local example of the national trend for independent bookshops flourishing over the festive season.
Hunting Raven’s manager, Tina Gaisford-Waller, pictured, shared her delight at the shop’s strong performance this Christmas, “It was staggering. At our busiest moments, the queue was out of the door and down the street,” she said.
She also remarked that shoppers seemed to be shunning the larger online retailers in favour of shopping locally. “We had lots of people coming in saying ‘I looked the book up online and I know I can get it cheaper elsewhere, but I wanted to buy it from you’.”
Speaking to the Frome Times this week, Tina added, “The larger online retailers have benefited from unfair advantages for far too long. They pay much lower rates on their premises and they have creative ways of avoiding tax. This enables them to discount goods to a degree that is just not possible for local independent retailers.
“But where we cannot compete on prices, independent shops go above and beyond when it comes to service, being attuned to the community in providing what they really want, and at best becoming social hubs within the community.
“A healthy high street is the hall mark of a healthy town. There is a real sense of community between the independent businesses in Frome. It is that collective spirit that sees us flourishing where other high streets in other towns fail.”
Hunting Raven took to social media to say a few words of thanks to its valued customers; “We’ll be on ITV West Country News tonight around 6pm talking about how this Christmas was a stellar one for us and for indie bookshops in general. So now is the perfect time for us to say thank you Frome, for your unwavering support, for your loyalty in choosing us, and for the fun, friendship, warmth and humour you bring into the shop every day.”
Send us your news!
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share? Have you seen something you feel needs more attention? Get in touch with a reporter today!
✉️ Click here to get in touch with a reporterSupport Frome Times
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £5 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.
Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation to support independent journalism in Frome.
