Ottery St Mary Friends of Phyllis Baxter Action Group writes for the Herald.

Midweek Herald: Phyllis Baxter had a dream to write a book and launch a website about OtteryPhyllis Baxter had a dream to write a book and launch a website about Ottery (Image: Phyllis Baxter)

In the last few years our traders had to endure very difficult times brought in by the fire in the square in 2018, the corona-virus crisis in 2020 and the global present economic crisis.

Although the future is still uncertain and everyday threats of ever increasing costs, reduction of transport services, unemployment and virus mutations are returning to haunt us, our traders as they did before, are pulling through bringing new ideas, working together and trying to diversify so they can keep providing us and our visitors with the best of services.

We, at the Action Group, believe that promoting Ottery through our column in combination with the excellent quality and service of our independent shops is the secret behind the success of our shopping area.

We might not have a beach where people automatically go to for a walk or some fresh air in any weather and then follow the natural route of having a coffee or going for a bit of shopping, but we for sure can sell Ottery as a whole because we have an astonishing cultural heritage that together with the variety of independent businesses and the friendliness provided by our local shopkeepers, can satisfy the shopping needs of the local residents and also attract a wide fan of visitors to town.

The population of Ottery according to the 2011 census was around 5000, having grown considerably in the last 10 years by potentially another few thousands.

This undoubtedly shows that Ottery has a lot to offer and, among the many things that might have attracted those to this town, having the facility of shopping at your doorstep, must have been one of them.

The action group’s website tells us that Ottery, without the need of mentioning well known local events such as Tar Barrels, Carnival, Coleridge or Pixie Day, is known to fans of Harry Potter as Ottery St Catchpole; St Mary’s Church is deemed to be one of the most magnificent in the country and modelled on Exeter Cathedral; the Otari Bell at the Sainsbury's car park marks the twinning process between Ottery St Mary & Otari in Japan which happened very much by chance; in Ottery St Mary Parish there are at least 107 Listed buildings; the Heritage Society created a Blue Plaque Scheme which allowed the society to place blue plaques on 11 selected buildings and places of importance in the town; in 2016 a new-born baby beaver was seen on the River Otter being proof that England’s only wild colony is still thriving in a spot near Ottery St Mary; the present OSM Conservation Area was first designated in 1973 with a large extension added in November 1983; Chineway Hill became famous in the cycling world by being the first King of the Mountain of the Tour of Britain in 2016 & 2018; and last but not least, Ottery has its own Flaming Barrel Gin created by Andrea and Beth of Coldharbour Farm with even a label based on a photograph of Andrea’s dad, Roger, who rolled barrels in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

But that is not all, within a few hundred metres from every corner of the Square the visitor can find numerous independent retailers that will provide the most demanding shopper with what they are looking for and at very competitive prices.

You name it, we got it, from antiques, books, children clothes, gifts, DIY, flowers, furniture, pets, stationery, computer, cycle, electrical, cards, carpet, farm produce, to sewing and tattoo shops plus other services such as hairdressers, barber, garages, grocer, butcher, baker, jeweller, wine merchant, repair, newsagent, travel, supermarket, picture framing, chemist, printing and much, much more.

The friendly and professional services offered by our local retailers are well known in the area. Do not miss the opportunity this town is offering you, look for their offers, combine it with a visit to the many places of interest we have, and finish your shopping day with a lunch or refreshments at any of our many eateries.

We promise you, you won’t be disappointed. For further information on Ottery shops visit: https://sites.google.com/view/osm-friends-of-phyllis-baxter/a-shoppers-paradise