Traders to launch new ‘Georgian Quarter’

The North Bar Traders’ Association were given £10,000 under the Mary Portas-inspired Our Town First initiative 18 months ago and will unveil their rebranding of the area with a grand launch on Saturday, June 15.

“Its been a long haul since last October when we got the news that our submission had been successful,” said David Bird, one of the association’s founding members.

“Before that we had been entirely self-funded. We got the news last October and it meant we could progress our plans for The Georgian Quarter even faster.

“We already had contributions from individual retailers and businesses and a promise of help from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council but the Our Town First money, whilst not a fortune, has helped us a lot.

“We now have enough funds to start developing and branding a meaningful shopping destination for locals, those who regularly come to Beverley to shop and tourists and visitors”.

He added: “This is not a simple rebranding, it has the support of 26 retail outlets, 16 businesses with a food and drink offer and 11 service-based businesses - over 50 companies in total.

“The support we have received from members and their staff has been fantastic. In five years time we will look back on 2013 as the year we started to regenerate Beverley’s northern central business district and make it a major local and regional lifestyle and shopping destination.”

Business owner Barry Gibson said: “We want to turn the North Bar shopping area into the premier fashion and lifestyle destination in East Yorkshire. One of the most historically important streets in the region will once again become synonymous with design style and chic.”