Celebrate your High Street. Open your eyes to the hidden gems in Newark.

Newark on Trent is conveniently situated close to major road, rail and river networks and for many centuries has been an established market town serving both the immediate community and the wider East Midlands area.  Consequently the town has built up both a market and retail reputation which draws visitors from far and wide.

Here at Newark Tourist Information Centre we welcome hundreds of visitors through our doors every year, some discovering the town for the first time and many who return again and again. All of them comment how much they love Newark for its uniqueness. With so many independent shops, galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants as well as our wonderful historic buildings, they really feel they are somewhere special and embrace the retail offer.

Since 2013 a team of volunteers has been using the “Totally Locally” campaign to remind people of what they have here in our town and promote the value of local shopping to keep Newark special. Totally Locally is more than a shop local campaign, it’s about working together to lift the whole community. If every adult in Newark spent just £5 per week in our local shops and businesses, it would result in an extra £5.4 million a year going into our local economy.

The Totally Locally scheme in Newark is focussed on businesses which support each other in sharing ideas on display, merchandising and promotional activities. From time to time, special community events are staged;  for example, the successful Busking festival, a Christmas retail event  and, moving forwards a “FiverFest” –  a chance for retailers to shout about just how good they are and what great value they can offer, all designed to elevate public awareness and stimulate the local economy.

Instead of just relying on the supermarket and huge multi-national chains, why not get to know and familiarise yourself with the local butcher, greengrocer and coffee shop.  Shopping will become much more of an enjoyable experience and it might even save you money!

Within a few paces of Newark’s bustling market place and charming maze of traffic-free streets, lanes and yards, there are no less than 57 local retailers registered in the Totally Locally scheme.  A broad spectrum of goods and services are available, many of which would be difficult to locate should those retailers cease trading – where else would you find a grocer/deli with its own smokehouse, a totally independent wine and spirit supplier with its own wine bar & bistro, an artisan bakery and a real ale store selling beer brewed in Newark’s own brewery?

When walking around our picturesque town, try popping in to some of those shops you may not have been into before – browse for special gift ideas at, amongst others Gracegentle Ltd, Domino, Village Chic or MooMoo.  Stop for your caffeine fix at one of the independent coffee shops such as Strays, Gannets, Café Amore or Peppadews.  If you’re planning a home makeover, check out the wonderful selection of fabrics at Clark and English with accessories at Village Chic or No.6 and furniture at Holdens, Home Inspirations, Kingsman or Vine Interiors.

We have a wonderful selection of independent clothes shops too such as Jane Young, Shirtsleeves, Gente Bella, Oxygen, Masdings and Regazza to name but a few. If you prefer vintage style, you’ll love Vintage2Versace, Déjà vu and Vintage Vixen, all happy to help you find that perfect outfit that you can guarantee no-one else will be wearing.

When all that shopping is done take the weight off your feet and enjoy a delicious lunch at Gannets, Rushtons, Feeling Peckish or one of the many other great pubs and restaurants serving local fayre.

There are great places where you can take your children too – they’ll love the selection of different toys at Toy Box, Reloved or Wood & Toys and at lunchtime, a visit to Mamma White’s Pancake Parlour, Waffle Cottage or The Proper Burger Co.  should keep them full up and happy for the rest of the afternoon.

Many of the retailers and businesses listed on the map are offering special discounts in order to promote the scheme and to stimulate repeat business. Simply download the Totally Locally Retail App on to your phone to get the latest offers on products and services.  The App is available on the Appstore or Google play for android phones and includes a full list of the retailers and businesses. Don’t leave home without it!

Log-on to www.totally-locally-newark.co.uk  for more details on the scheme.

Follow them on Twitter @tlnewark

Pick up a printed list of the Totally Locally businesses and get loads of local, regional and national information on events and places to visit at your Tourist Information Centre, located next to Newark Castle level crossing at: Keepers Cottage, Riverside Park, Great North Road, Newark, NG24 1BL.

Tel: 01636 655765   Email:newarktic@nsdc.info  Follow us on Twitter @morenewark

Don’t forget, money spent with our small businesses has a big impact on our town; the local economy grows which makes it a more pleasant place to live, work and visit.

Be proud of the place you live in and shop locally!