Dorchester’s Town Crier, Anthony Harrison, will attempt to deliver 30 separate cries outside 30 local independent retail shops in Dorchester in 4 hours on ‘Independents’ Day’, July 4th.
Anthony hopes to help raise awareness of local independent retailers by delivering a custom cry for each one outside of their premises.
The shops represent unique, one-off stores that were built as family businesses over time or have been set up to fulfil the dreams of their owners to do something different, to escape the rat race and share their vision and passion with a wider audience.
Anthony says: “They are at the forefront of the high street revival that is countering the perceived hollowing out of traditional British High Streets as national brands, banks and corporate chains turn their attention elsewhere or go bust.
“These stores are the future of retail and are aiming to give local residents, tourists and visitors a different, specialist, expert shopping experience. The owners have poured their hearts, souls and sometimes life savings into getting their business off the ground.
“All they need to survive is awareness and the chance to showcase what they have and why they are different, which is what this campaign is all about.”
A Facebook event has already been set up and can found here:
The campaign was launched three weeks ago and here is a recording of the cry Anthony delivered outside Loving By Nature in Antelope Walk:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZAVPahMZ7Y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
A provisional timetable (assuming everyone wants to take part) will take Anthony about 4 hours to do 30 cries:
- 10.00 Brewery Square
- 10.30 South Street
- 11.00 Hardye Arcade
- 11.30 Trinity Street
- 12.00 High West Street/Princes Street
- 12.45 Antelope Walk
- 13.15 Cornhill
- 13.25 High East Street
- 13.50 Tudor Arcade
There will be a similar event in Poundbury to coincide with the rearranged Kite Festival on the Great Field.
Saturday July 25th – Poundbury KiteFest CryFest:
