Well-known for organising the Shake & Stir Vintage Festival in Southbourne, Stir! Events is now expanding across BCP to create more community events that boost local businesses and high streets.

As a past president for the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce, Mandy has been a passionate advocate for the ‘Great British High Street’ for over 15 years.

In recent years, her community events have been designed to enhance the cultural scene, while encouraging people to get out and about in town centres, supporting local businesses.

Her work has been so successful she was awarded a prize at the 2021/22 South West England Prestige Awards.

“The past few years have been hard for small businesses, and the focus on reinvigorating our high streets present in BCP’s Local Plan just goes to show what an impact this has had on our area. But I don’t think the high street is quite dead yet, not if we act now.,” said Mandy. “There is so much value in town centres and high streets, they act as community hubs, meeting spaces and are incredible assets to the local economy. We’d be losing something special if they faded away, which is why I’ve been so passionate about saving them for so long and, ultimately, why Stir! Events was born.”

Mandy said she’d seen first-hand the impact that community events can have, “they get people out and about, spending money with local businesses and creating a real sense of culture. Whether it’s a vintage music festival or a Christmas grotto, people look forward to events like these and they can become an intrinsic part of an area’s identity. That’s why I’m thrilled that we are in the process of transitioning Stir! to a Community Interest Company, so we can put even more focus on giving back to the community.”

Stir! Events is ready to take on another busy summer season, with events across the whole conurbation, such as Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival and Poole Goes Vintage. This year, as well as planning events for local people, Mandy has also been taking steps to make sure they’re good for the planet too.

“The whole ethos of Stir! is protecting the future of our high streets and town centres, that’s what we’re all about,” said Mandy. “So, we need to act to protect the future of the planet. I’m really excited to announce that Stir! is now a Sustainable Palm Oil ambassador for Efeca, and we are encouraging all the traders who attend our events to only use sustainable palm oil. It’s the first step towards making sure our events are great for people and the planet.”

For more information about Stir! Events, visit the new website: https://www.eventsbystir.co.uk/.