In the run-up to Christmas we test the mood on the High Street, in our latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet.For our last episode of 2024, Kevin Burch took a trip to Bury St Edmunds to talk to Mark Cordell, who works with his team to promote the town and Julian Milton, who runs a gift shop called Loft and Spires. Despite all the financial challenges the retail industry has been through and is currently facing, both remain optimistic about this festive season and beyond.Julian explains how his independent shop, like many others in Bury, thrives by not only offering interesting products that can be bought impulsively, but also by offering outstanding customer service. His ethos is shared by many local business owners, who understand that by working together they can ensure Bury maintains its outstanding local and national reputation.As CEO of the Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID), Mark explains how he and his team make sure the town looks after its local repeat customers, as well as marketing Bury nationally as a town that people want to visit and spend time in. Already known as the Foodie capital of Suffolk, Mark is also keen to build Bury’s reputation as the best customer service town. BID provide advice and guidance to over 400 town centre businesses, to help them in achieving this and nurture a collective approach to ensure Bury St Edmunds remains an attractive prospect to locals and visitors alike. For more information about Loft and Spires, visithttps://www.facebook.com/loftandspires (https://www.facebook.com/loftandspires)And you can find out more about Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID) on their website: https://www.ourburystedmunds.com (https://www.ourburystedmunds.com)