INDEPENDENT retailers in Colchester are launching a monthly late opening event featuring music, performance and creativity in a bid to boost trade.

Following on from its successful launch event last month, The South Lanes Project has decided to host the evening each month from July 4.

The people behind the project have also promised they’ll be more for visitors to enjoy.

READ MORE: Late night shopping and street food bid for Crouch Street and Eld Lane

Neil Gibb, a business consultant who is spearheading the project, said: “The first one was great but it could be better.

“We are looking to use what Colchester is good at.

“There is a real community of people in the town who make things or perform and it is a very creative town.

“People enjoy going places where people are performing and talking so that is what we are trying to create.”

The organisers have been inspired by the Camden Crawl festival, where revellers can visit venues across the famous London area to enjoy sets from bands, talks from authors and more.

Mr Gibb said independent businesses were being forced to think outside the box in a bid to boost town centre trade.

He said: “This kind of thing is taking place across the country and we are looking to learn from others.

“More and more a town centre has got to be about a social experience because you can buy everything you need online.

“Independent retailers pay less rates but to get people into the town you need places you cannot find elsewhere, which is the independents.”

The South Lanes Project, which covers streets running from the east end of Crouch Street to the west end of Eld Lane, is also planning to enter the Great British High Street competition.

The winners, in each of the Champion and Rising Stars categories, can win £15,000 in cash to continue their work.

Mr Gibb said: “When we looked at the aspirations of the competition they are what we are trying to do.

“One of the benefits is exposure for Colchester.

“The point of us doing this is to draw people in to town who do not usually come.

“Colchester is the fastest growing town in the country and lots of new houses are being built but that doesn’t seem to translate into people coming into town.

“The market is competitive but we are confident we can improve things.

“We have no budget at the moment so it would certainly help.

“We are a not for profit organisation so all the money would go into doing things for the area.”

The second South Lanes’ late night, called Independents’ Day, takes place between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday, July 4.

To find out more, visit facebook.com/southlanescolchester.