Shop local, support independent businesses and preserve their future is the message ahead of an awareness campaign in Coventry.

From shops, cafes and pubs to estate agents, accountants and entertainment venues, there are around 200 independent businesses based in Coventry City Centre.

Economic instability, rising bills and tax increases have created a challenging climate for independent businesses, with many unable to absorb the costs as larger corporates are able to.

Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) is supporting Independents’ Day on Friday 4 July, a national action day to encourage the support of independent businesses across the UK and will also be spotlighting independents throughout the weekend.

Visitors to the city centre will be able to identify independent businesses in the city centre with artwork placed in windows across a range of sectors including retail, hospitality and professional services.

Coventry City Centre’s social media pages will also be taken over with content highlighting independent businesses and their unique contribution to the city’s economy.

Raj Bansal is Director of Bansal Estates, an independent family business specialising in residential sales, letting and commercial property that has been operating in Coventry since 1985.

The business moved to Warwick Row in Coventry City Centre in 1994.

He said: “We’ve always been committed and proud to being an independent business, offering more flexibility to our clients”.

“We’ve built our business on trust and recommendations; our family values are at the heart of what we do.”

Tammy Johnson is the manager of independent travel agents Millington Travel in the city centre. She added: “It is very important to support local independent companies as we are the heart of Coventry City Centre and we need to keep the high street alive.

“Local independent travel agents such as Millington Travel Coventry can offer customers an unbiased holiday product which serves the customers’ needs and budget, opposed to corporate companies who sell products that benefit their own operator.”

Joanne Glover, Chief Executive of Coventry BID, said: “Independent businesses are a key part of the national economy and that is the case here in Coventry too, unfortunately they have been some of the hardest hit over the last year.

“They bring a vibrancy and diversity to the city, but they are also more susceptible to external economic pressures. To preserve their future and help them to thrive, it’s vital we support independent businesses.

“It’s a misconception when people say that we don’t have independents in Coventry; we have a fabulous community in Coventry City Centre supported by hundreds of family-owned and independent businesses.”

To find out more about Coventry’s independent businesses visit www.coventrycitycentre.co.uk