I WAS INTERVIEWD BY STEVE MACKENZIE FOR THE BIG ISSUE on HIGH STREET SPIRIT -Why you should feel hopeful about the high street Here is an excerpt: Independent businesses offer a glimpse of green shoots. In 2019, large retailers with 10 or more outlets closed 5,901 shops – an increase of 79 per cent on […]
Category Archives: Blog
03
May
May
I was interviewed by The Yorkshire Post about the ‘Independent Spirit’ of my hometown of Halifax. Halifax has been undergoing a renaissance over the last few years, and, alongside investment from the council, big projects like The Piece Hall and a beautiful new library, a big element of the town’s success is how businesses & […]
12
Aug
Aug
An article which appeared in The Yorkshire Post June 2019 The Totally Locally campaign launched in Yorkshire in 2010 and now has supported dozens of high streets across the globe. Laura Drysdale speaks to its founder Chris Sands. When Chris Sands holidayed in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo, he was immediately struck by […]
07
Apr
Apr
Totally Locally got a lot of media interest when Crickhowell won Great British High Street of the Year Award, and Emma (who runs Totally locally there) won High Street Hero of they year. Many other towns who have used the Totally Locally Town Kit have been winners or runners up in the past too. This […]
26
Dec
Dec
A brand for Photographer Sarah Mason
30
Jan
Jan
My book on cycling life in The South Pennines is all but sold out (I kept a few back for posterity), so here it is in digital format to have a look through. Hope you enjoy it!
21
Dec
Dec
In 2015 I spoke at the Place Leaders Association Asia Pacific Conference in Adelaide, South Australia. During the time there I also worked with towns across Fleuriue Peninsular & in the Barossa Valley. But I did get a bit of time out to explore! I was in Adelaide during ANZAC Day, the day which Australia […]
30
Nov
Nov
In July 2015, I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Staffordshire University. And you could have knocked me down with a feather! It was for the work I did creating and building Totally Locally into a free resource and for the help we have given to towns and communities. Safe to say one of the […]
15
Nov
Nov
One of the things we say with Totally Locally is be a tourist in your own town. And I have to say it’s a long time since I did this. Today I had an hour in Halifax town centre, I did my shopping in the wonderful Halifax Borough Market, as I often do, but I […]
18
Oct
Oct
Landing back in England, after what was a crazy time talking Totally Locally in Australia & visiting in New Zeakand, I realised it was a bit much to try & write the trip up as I went along. The schedule I had was very hectic, and down time was pretty rare! So here’s a summary […]
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