High street and retail businesses across Somerset are being invited to join a new week-long support programme designed to help them attract more customers, increase sales and strengthen their place on the local high street.
The Somerset High Street Growth Programme, delivered by the Heart of the South West Growth Hub, will run from 23–27 March 2026 and is free to attend for Somerset businesses.
The programme combines four online Lunch and Learn webinars with an in-person Retail Marketing Bootcamp in Taunton, giving business owners the choice to dip into individual sessions or attend the full week.
The lunchtime webinars (12.30pm–1.30pm, delivered via Microsoft Teams) will cover:
- Monday 23 March – Turning Footfall into Sales
- Tuesday 24 March – Local Marketing That Actually Works
- Wednesday 25 March – What Your Numbers Are Really Telling You
- Thursday 26 March – Building Repeat Customers on the High Street
The week then concludes with an in-person Retail Marketing Bootcamp – “Be Seen, Remembered and Chosen” on Friday 27 March, 9.30am–1.00pm at Taunton Quaker Meeting House, Bath Place, Taunton. The bootcamp will bring together independent retailers and local high street businesses to focus on practical marketing tools, clearer messaging and converting interest into loyal customers.
The programme is aimed at high street and retail businesses based in Somerset, including independent shops and local service providers who want to build visibility, understand their numbers and develop more confident, sustainable day-to-day trading.
Businesses can book one or more sessions, or the full week, via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/somerset-high-street-growth-programme-4823579
Organisations are encouraged to share this opportunity with retailers and high street businesses in their networks who could benefit from dedicated, practical support this spring.
