A SCHEME to encourage business in Whitchurch is 'ticking along nicely' according to one of the organisers.

Fiver Fest, an initiative to encourage shoppers in Whitchurch to spend £5 in local businesses, was launched at the weekend.

Despite a slow start thanks to Storm Dennis, business has started to pick up, with the half-term holidays being a big boost.

One of the event organisers Sharron Marriott, who runs Make Your House a Home in the Watergate Arcade, hopes momentum will start to build.

"We have had 30 plus businesses signed up for the Totally Locally initiative,2 said Sharron.

"Whitchurch Chamber of Trade and Whitchurch Council are all fully behind it too which is great news for all businesses.

"It's ticking along nicely. I think there was a bit of a slow start at the weekend because of the weather, but hopefully the momentum will build now.

"Just need more people involved, hopefully with half-term, plenty of people will be about.

"Let's hope that all the individual offers of £5 and vouchers, around our town encourages the local community to shop local and keep our town alive.

"I have been very encouraged with everyone's attitude to the event, we can all work together and promote each other in future shop local promotions."