Alongside the street parties, cheering supporters and activation zones, many businesses came out to support Ford RideLondon-Essex festivities across the weekend event. This year marked a significant milestone, in increasing community engagement and business participation, setting a new benchmark for future events.
Over the past few years, we have seen businesses support the event and open their doors, but this year the county went one step further!
Holland and Barrett in Saffron Walden provided free Kombucha, popcorn, protein bars and 20% discount codes. Building on the success and increased footfall from last year, their efforts were met with great appreciation from the community and visitors alike.
Oak House, strategically positioned near the finish line on Maldon High Street, enjoyed a significant boost in business.
Manager Lucy said: “RideLondon is a fantastic event for our business. We had more footfall than a usual Saturday. If we could have it every weekend, that would be great!”
Sunday’s event saw over 21,000 riders take to the streets of Essex for the 60 or 100-mile route. The towns of Great Dunmow and Ongar High Street came out in style, with numerous businesses contributing to the activation zones, engaging residents, spectators, and the riders themselves.
Grace’s Coffee Shop in Dunmow, new to the town this year, made a remarkable debut. The whole family came together to set up a stall outside their shop, selling homemade cakes, sandwiches and coffees. The owners’ mother, Sarah, expressed her delight at the queue outside all day, noting it was a fantastic boost for their business. Family-run Steeles’ Butchers also joined in, setting up a BBQ to sell produce, bringing smiles to residents’ faces, even when the rain decided to show.
Whilst in Ongar, businesses teamed up to decorate their windows and encourage community engagement. The collaborative effort created a vibrant and welcome atmosphere, showcasing the town’s spirit and support for the event.
The Ford RideLondon-Essex weekend has demonstrated the power of community and business engagement. The support from local businesses not only enhanced the experience for participants and spectators, but it also strengthened the local economy. With such a successful event this year, we look forward to even greater participation and community spirit in the years to come.
