04/07/12….Thame shops celebrate ‘Independents’ Day’

USUALLY associated with commemorating American Independence, today’s date, July 4, has special significance for independent retailers all over the country – including Thame.

Today was designated ‘Independents’ Day’, aimed at, in the words of its sponsors, Skillsmart Retail: “flying the flag for local retailers: the ones who help make our villages, towns and cities so special. It?s about championing diversity on the high street and recognising the skills behind the shopfront.”

Throughout the day, shoppers were being encouraged to photograph a purchase from a local, independent retailer, upload it to the social networking site, twitter, using the hashtag, southernoxonindependents, stating where they had bought it.

The best picture from each of the seven towns in the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse areas, Thame, Henley, Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Farringdon and Didcot, will be selected and the shopper awarded a