Crowds came out to support businesses taking part in Independents’ Day at the weekend.

Market Place in Hitchin was packed with visitors on Saturday as some of the town’s independent outlets displayed their wares.

Customers had the chance to browse and buy from a wide range of quirky clothes, furniture, merchandise, gifts and services, while Hertfordshire-based DJ trio The Winchester Collective played music.

Alison Fell–Gordon, the new owner of Eric T Moore books in Bridge Street, said: “We were very pleased with our day in Market Square. We had our best Saturday since we took over so were very thrilled with that. We really appreciated the opportunity to take part and definitely want to be involved next year. So much work goes into an event like this and we were very impressed.”

Hitchin town centre manager Keith Hoskins said: “This is something we always like to participate in because and it is a particular help to those independent businesses that are not necessarily in the main shopping area. It is all about increasing footfall around the whole of the town.”

Independents’ Day was first held four years ago and is a national campaign that promotes and celebrates independent businesses.