Ringwood has received a longed-for Christmas present.

Due to work which started in January to replace bridges and widen the westbound A31 there has been major traffic disruption in and out of town, which affected businesses as many customers avoided the long queues and opted to take their custom elsewhere or to purchase more goods online. Some businesses reported sales down by as much as 30 per cent.

But now the work has been completed.

A spokesman from the town council said: “While many of the Ringwood businesses have struggled with the drop in footfall over the last eleven months, just as many also demonstrated commendable resilience and creativity to entice customers to shop with them.

“With support offered from events such as The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Ringwood Business Association ‘Support Day’ held in June, business owners were provided with expert business advice and support. Many Ringwood businesses have been encouraged to expand their digital offering, introduce loyalty schemes, adapt their product or service offering and change the way they reach customers.”

Angela Cork, owner of Ringwood Fabrics, said: “Ringwood businesses are delighted to have the slip road open again. The roadworks were definitely not our friend but we adapted by putting on more home deliveries. We are now looking forward to welcoming back our customers into our physical store, just in time for Christmas.”

Mother and daughter owners’ of Browns Clothing, Gabs Brown and Charlotte Essex, have navigated the roadworks with an interestingly agile approach to retail. Instead of waiting for customers to come to them, instead they brought their products to their customers – with a number of pop-up shops at people’s homes, fairs and businesses. They also offered a 1-1 appointment service out of hours to enable customers to shop at a time that suits them.

Julie Astley-Weston, owner of Love to b skincare, has been busy attracting customers into her Ringwood based flagship store with an increased social media presence and the exceptional customer service of her team. She has also held exclusive events in store, such as their popular Prosecco Pamper evenings, to attract customers to enjoy something that can’t be bought online.

Tracy Sims, owner of The Courtyard café, helped locals celebrate by their ‘end of the roadworks; breakfast special.

Ringwood Town Mayor, Gareth De Boos, said: “It’s fantastic to see our wonderful town accessible again. We hope those customers who avoided us (quite understandably) will return and shop with us again. Now, more than ever, is the time to support local businesses.”

Despite the roadwork disruption, businesses have still shown faith in Ringwood as a prosperous destination. A number of new businesses have opened their doors in 2022; including lifestyle gift & silk flower shop With Grace, independent coffee supply brand Barista & Co, boutique fragrance store Perfumery & Co and quirky family-run coffee shop Ground. The vibrant market town has also attracted national brands including Sweaty Betty, Clarendon Fine Art Gallery and Domino’s.

Ringwood Town Council will soon launch their annual Christmas Window Competition as part of their wider ‘Winter Wanderland’ campaign with 30 plus businesses getting involved. A Wanderland Map with all the businesses, shops and community organisations taking part is available to pick up from the Gateway building to encourage visitors to take a ‘wander’ around the town. The winners are voted for by the public and the competition gets more fiercely competitive every year!

Free parking across the town will be introduced in the Ringwood NFDC Pay & Display car parks on Sunday 27 November and Saturday 3, 17 and Sunday 18 December.

The Ringwood Christmas Light Switch On community event will take place on Sunday 27 November. This popular free event takes place in the town centre (including along the High Street and Market Place) and this year is bigger and better than ever before. Over 60 market stalls; made up of local arts and crafts, produce, gifts and charity stalls – plus hot food and drink including mulled wine, hog roast, fish and chips, bratwurst and stone baked pizza, will adorn the decorated streets.

There will be two Santa parades taking place with his trusty reindeer (one at 11.30am and one at 5.45pm) as the big man makes his way to the town’s magical Grotto. There is also a small fairground to entertain the children in the Market Place, street entertainment for all ages throughout the afternoon, live bands and special guests on the main stage. Father Christmas will then officially turn the lights on at 6pm.

The Furlong shopping centre will also be celebrating the end of the roadworks with a Late Night Shopping event on Thursday 1 December. Customers can enjoy a fashion show, inflatable Igloo photo booth, live music, store discounts, giveaways and much more. There will also be two free Crafty Elf Workshops on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December where children can make Christmas tree decorations using reclaimed wood from the New Forest.