Shoppers have been celebrating their safe return to Crediton town centre because…

1. It’s brought back the joy of shopping

Crediton is a vibrant and welcoming town – you will be greeted with a hello as you walk through the shop door. It is well-known for its long and wide High Street full of independent and unique stores.

Crediton’s Mayor, Cllr Letch, said:

"Crediton's colourful High Street decorated with eye-catching flags is a must-go-there destination for shoppers who want a range of interesting, independent shops and friendly and helpful local eateries."

A perfect place to spend your leisure time. The town square hosts a variety of shops and eateries including the award-winning Famers’ Market, which meets on the first and third Saturday of every month. Newcombes Meadow, Crediton’s town centre park, provides visitors with space to share time with friends and family to enjoy a picnic.

The Boniface Heritage Trail is a great way to discover the town.

Rod Brookes, Town Team member, said:

“The trail – a gentle walk around the eight stained glass Boniface signs – will take a modest 40 minutes, but there’s plenty of distractions and shops and a park along the way, so be prepared for it to take a little longer!”

On the outskirts of Exeter, with great transport links via road and train, it offers a relaxed atmosphere. With free parking in Market Street Car Park throughout August and September, it’s a great place to shop hassle free.

2. Safety measures are in place

A safety team has been assessing the activity throughout the town. A one-way system has been put in place in Crediton High Street (St Saviour’s Way) Car Park, where pedestrians are asked to keep left in Silbury Place to the shops and on their return.

Adrian Welsh, Group Manager for Growth, Economy and Delivery, said:

“As activities increase in the town centre, we want to ensure we continue to minimise the risk of spreading the virus as much as possible. A grant from the European Regional Development Fund has helped the town to reopen. It is still important that all visitors adhere to Government guidance with regard to social distancing measures, wearing a face mask and by following the individual shop instructions to keep Crediton Town Centre safe. Shops have worked hard to adapt in order to reopen their doors and need your support.

Please be kind and patient when shopping. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must remain at home and get tested”.

3. It supports your local independent stores

By shopping in your town centre, it directly supports small independent businesses and puts the money back into Crediton’s local economy. Crediton has a large number of independent shops that have adapted to be able to serve the local community and now need your support. In response to the pandemic a community website creditoninandaround.co.uk has been set up to promote all the businesses, services and groups in and around Crediton as they open up, which was supported by Mid Devon District Council.

4. It has a great community spirit

A number of organisations put on regular events and campaigns for shoppers in the town, which celebrate the town’s rich heritage and support the town centre. Event organisers make the most of the open space in the square, which has become the hub of the town.

Crediton town team’s latest project, ‘Share in the Square’, is described by Rosemary Stephenson (Chair) as:

“A simple idea which is already having a massive impact. Twelve picnic tables and parasols were installed in the town square in early July to provide a safe outdoor space for people to meet up. The Rotary club are providing volunteers to supervise the space at busy times, welcoming people and ensuring social distancing and regular cleaning of the tables. The Arts Centre is coordinating a programme of live music at the weekends.”

Crediton’s bookshop, Parish Church and cafés also host events from town trails to workshops and children’s events, which we will begin to see return as the restrictions ease.

5. It is environmentally friendly

When you shop at Crediton’s local butcher, bakers, farm shops or greengrocer, you are supporting the local farmers and small businesses, therefore the food miles are very low and packaging is minimal. There is a strong Fairtrade and eco-friendly ethos, which runs along the town’s paths with a number of outlets who actively select their stock, according to the impact on the environment for a sustainable future.

For more information about Crediton, visit visitmiddevon.co.uk. For more information about safety measures and business support, visit the Council's Reopening your town centre - changes to how you shop news page and Coronavirus information for businesses, employers and employees information page.

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A grant from the European Regional Development Fund has enabled the high streets to reopen safely. The project (either has received or is receiving up to) £73,686 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects, which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit gov.uk/european-growth-funding.