Bubwith Business Directory

In June 2023, a public meeting at Bubwith Leisure Centre addressed community concerns regarding the planned closure of Bubwith Bridge for 20 weeks, resulting in a substantial diversion of 22 miles. Local businesses anticipated significant losses due to reduced customer footfall, no passing trade, and potential increased operational costs. Businesses directly appealed for community support during this challenging period. 

Following this meeting, East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC), Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Team provided immediate assistance, offering tailored 1-2-1 advisory support and arranging a Business Support Surgery for the 30 June 2023, with six businesses attending and four subsequently requesting detailed 1-2-1 advisory sessions. 

With businesses recognising a clear need for the community to support them at this time, ERYC collaborated with Bubwith, Breighton & Willitoft Parish Council to see how they could complement the existing #buybubwith social media campaign, with the development of both a printed and online Local Business Directory. This initiative aimed to enhance local businesses’ visibility within the community, support immediate survival needs, encourage ongoing local patronage, and align with broader environmental goals. by encouraging residents to buy locally and use local services and do their bit to reduce the area’s carbon footprint and to protect and sustain the current services for the long-term future. 

Sandra Hills, Chair of Bubwith Parish Council, led engagement with local businesses, confirming significant interest from key village enterprises, including nurseries, butchers, garages, and takeaway providers. A local marketing company from the parish was commissioned via direct award in July 2023 to design, produce, and distribute both physical and digital versions of the directory. 

The completed directory featured 53 exclusively parish-based businesses and was successfully distributed to over 600 households and businesses across the community in August 2023 and hosted digitally on the Parish Council’s website. 

Outcomes 

• Non-financial business support delivered to 53 local enterprises, directly aiding their marketing and visibility.
• Enhanced community awareness of available local services, promoting sustained support for local businesses.
• Strengthened local entrepreneurial ecosystem through targeted marketing and increased customer engagement. 

Businesses involved appreciated the proactive response and reported improved community engagement and sales stability during the bridge closure period. The directory’s positive reception led Bubwith Parish Council and ERYC to consider continued use of such community-led promotional initiatives to support local businesses sustainably.