Where do they go?

Over the past year thousands of Brixtonians have been enjoying spending their Brixton Pounds (B£). But have you wondered what happens to your B£s when you use them to buy a coffee or a pair of shoes? Because the B£ can’t leave Brixton, local businesses need to find ways to spend their B£s locally.

Businesses have already found lots of ways to do this. Wild Caper pay their staff a proportion of their wages in B£s and business owners give out B£s in change or buy their lunch with it.

But the real change begins when businesses start sourcing more of their everyday needs locally. The Brixton Pound group is now offering an individually tailored service to businesses using the B£ that want to source more of their goods locally – whether it’s light bulbs, a plumber or fresh tomatoes. By mapping local supply chains we are linking up businesses that accept the B£, encouraging them to trade with each other and boost the local economy.

If you’re a business owner and would like to talk to one of our Local Source Advisors, or if you’re just interested in finding out more about this project or lend a helping hand contact Annie (07816119393) or Himi (07804701841).

Often referred to as ‘Brixton’s favourite giftshop’ Diverse aims to offer a range of products that truly reflects the varied community it serves: Afrocentric and contemporary greeting cards for all occasions, jewellery from every corner of the globe, recycled products and world music from Putumayo.

The downstairs gallery houses beautiful, affordable clothing by local label, Uma Jane, and a range of Australian designers.

Diverse has a permanent discount of 5% off for anyone using the B£, although during this feature-week B£ customers get 10% off both gifts and clothing (full-price items only; cards and gift-wrap not included).  So get down there, what are you waiting for?

Diverse
62 Atlantic Road
London
SW9 8PY
020 7733 1488
info@diversegifts.co.uk

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I’ve pledged to do all my christmas shopping this year in Brixton Pounds, so this Saturday I went off round Brixton to do just that. Not only did I manage it with ease, I also found a whole load of wonderful new shops I didn’t know existed until a few weeks ago. Many thanks to Wild Caper,  Gruff and Tackleton’s Winter Menagerie, Bricolage, Brixton Cornercopia, No. 1 Village Bakeries, Remade in Brixton and Bookmongers for providing such great gifts. I also got my wrapping paper at Pound & Plus taking advantage of their 5% B£ discount.

You can watch a short film of the whole experience right here – I hope it inspires you to reject the west end, chain stores, supermarkets and big name brands and get down to Brixton to spend your money where it matters. You won’t be disappointed.