There will be all the fun of the fair in the high street this Sunday as part of a salute to Andover’s independent businesses.

As part of ‘Independents Month’, InAndover has organised a range of activities in the high street, including are arts and craft workshops, a story telling tent, circus skills workshops, live music and even a Helter Skelter. They will be accompanied by eight town centre businesses, each with a gazebo to sell their wares from.

Shelley Coburn, who is organising the event, previously said: “We need to support our independents this year, more than ever, as they look to rebuild following the pandemic. The money spent in local, independent shops makes a real difference to business owners and our local economy, so it would be great if the public could support this campaign and spend in our independents.”

The Independents Month celebrations kicked off on Sunday, July 4, when Independence Day is traditionally celebrated in the USA, with market stalls run by independent businesses, as well as live music and entertainment, will start off the month.

There was also bunting put up by InAndover throughout shops on the high street, with a range of special promotions running in shops, cafes, and restaurants across town across the month.

InAndover is run by Andover’s Business Improvement District (BID), which Steve Godwin, the manager, saying: “This year Andover Independents are urging their customers to support them, particularly during the Indie’s month of July. We hope that our events will shine a light on the amazing businesses we have right on our doorstep, and that residents and visitors to the town will explore and support them.”

The event is now being brought to a close with this finale on Sunday, July 25 from 11am. However, there are more events to come in the following weeks, including the appearance of 40 knitted eagles produced by the public on behalf of the Army Flying Museum in the high street from July to September.

There is also the ‘Bepuzzled Treasure Trail’, which launched earlier this month and will continue until August 29. For more details, visit: www.inandover.co.uk/events/bepuzzled-treasure-trail/