This month sees the official public launch of the Dewsbury Road Town Team, a partnership of retailers in Beeston working together to serve the wider community, and to make their shopping district the best it can be.
The group – one of several ‘Town Teams’ across Leeds – covers the bottom end of Dewsbury Road, between Hunslet fire station and Hunslet Hall Road. The district features over 70 independent businesses, including food stores and delis, a bakery, restaurants and takeaways, electrical and motoring retailers, greengrocers, chemists, barbers and beauticians, a furniture store, and more.
The team have been active behind the scenes for several years, but are now going public with a logo (designed for free by local graphic designer Alex Fleming), to build the profile of the business community there, and all that it has to offer.
Roy Walker chairs the group, and comments:
“We’re now looking to restart our work post-Covid, for a better Dewsbury Road. We work closely with the Council and other agencies, to tackle issues including anti-social behaviour, litter, highways problems, and more. And despite those challenges, we have a thriving and popular high street – so would encourage even more local people to come see what we have to offer, and to work with us to keep making things better for our community.”
The launch coincides with Small Business Saturday on 4 December, when shoppers everywhere are encouraged to support local independent shops. High streets everywhere are struggling – but independent businesses are hardest hit, making up about 90% of shop closures nationally. Meanwhile, campaigners argue that independent retailers beat corporate retailers on all counts: generating more employment, better local accountability and democracy, and stronger community economies, with a typically smaller environmental impact.
For more info on the Dewsbury Road Town Team, including sharing your ideas, and how to get involved, email: drtownteam@gmail.com.
