A CAMPAIGN which benefits customers and helps independent high-street stores is returning to Dorchester this weekend.

The Fiver Fest campaign encourages shoppers to visit the high street to support local independent shops which will be selling a range of items for just £5.

The campaign will run for two weeks in Dorchester from Saturday, March 11 until Saturday, March 25. 

Businesses in Dorchester that will be taking part in the scheme are Dorchester Yoga Centre, Shoetrees, Vinyl Van, Horse with the Red Umbrella, Shire Hall, Oxford's, The Old Tea House, Kooky Bloom, Hardy's Cafe, Hounds and Hooves and Bonjour Cafe. More businesses are set to be added to the scheme in the following days.

Fiver Fest is a national campaign run by Totally Locally which sees similar events take place across the country. 

Totally Locally founder Chris Sands said: “Independent shops are key parts of our community.

“Not only do they make our high streets and towns better places to live and work, but these businesses also contribute hugely to our local economy. They never take the support they get from local people for granted, and Fiver Fest is a way of paying a little back to those customers.”

"It’s a campaign that sees incredible offers from £5 massages, to £5 veg boxes, £5 walking tours, £5 lunch deals, £5 ghost story-telling, £5 axe-throwing sessions, £5 Scottish dance lessons and even bicycles for £5! Independent Business owners are really inventive with their offers, and we encourage them to also promote their neighbouring businesses' offers too. 

"Fiver Fest is about everyone working together to promote their town and high street as a whole, instead of individually. If lots of shops have great offers on, the trip to the high street is really worthwhile and fun!"

Simon Waldren of Totally Locally added:  “We’ve seen huge increases in footfall during Fiver Fest times, with many businesses reporting their busiest shopping days outside of Christmas”. 

The festival takes place three times a year with its last run out in October 2022 when several businesses attracted locals to the high street to get limited-time-only offers.