The Ivybridge Chamber of Trade has launched a new initiative to raise awareness of just how much the town has to offer. Locally based Logo Design & Marketing was commissioned to devise an idea that would encourage people to shop in the town centre. The result is a new town guide that demonstrates the wide variety of Ivybridge’s shopping and business life and also puts the friendly faces of all the shopkeepers in the spotlight.

“For shopping, business services or going out for a meal or a drink, Ivybridge has some special qualities,” explained ICT spokesman Martin Coard. “Our focus is on people; where well informed advice, one-to-one contact and a cheerful greeting very make a refreshing experience.

“We identified some misunderstandings that shoppers have about the town centre, including many who live nearby. Some people don’t realize just how many shops, food and drink outlets and professional services the town actually has and where they are all located and also where all the car parks are. And this was in spite of the fact that the town centre is highly compact.”

Logo Design came up with the concept of The Friendly Face of Shopping, a pocket-sized guide to the town’s shops and businesses, including an easy to use map, and that featured over 70 local shops putting a friendly face forward.

The guides have been distributed around the area and are available free of charge throughout Ivybridge’s shops and businesses.