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138<br />
VIVALEWES<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
A friend of a friend, visiting <strong>Lewes</strong> for the first time, summed<br />
it up pretty neatly. They'd noticed just how many independent<br />
shops there were here, and how different it made our (already<br />
beautiful) town look from others of a similar size, more<br />
dominated by the garish primary colours of chainstore façades.<br />
“<strong>Lewes</strong> is the town all the other towns want to be.”<br />
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with chains. I think that most all <strong>Lewes</strong>’ retailers<br />
would agree that a good smattering of them brings people into town, and that those people<br />
are also likely to spin off to the nearby indies. Anyway, how many people can put their hands<br />
up and say they NEVER go to Tesco, or Fuego, or Mountain Warehouse, or Bill’s, for that<br />
matter? It’s often a matter of cost, for one thing: the Farmers' Market is a fantastic asset, but<br />
who can afford to do all their shopping there?<br />
Nonetheless, if you do feel that <strong>Lewes</strong>’ independent spirit is heightened by its independent<br />
shops, we would urge you to appreciate them, by using them as much as you can. Find a<br />
minute to pop in and have a look inside, when you’re walking past. Have a chat with the<br />
person behind the till. Get to know them, if you don’t already. They’re great people.<br />
The theme of this issue is ‘independence’, as in ‘independents’. We want to celebrate the<br />
initiative and bravery of those who’ve literally set up shop here, or taken on and run with<br />
existent independent concerns. Long may they thrive; long may they continue to do things a<br />
bit differently. Enjoy the issue...<br />
THE TEAM<br />
.....................<br />
EDITOR: Alex Leith alex@vivamagazines.com<br />
SUB-EDITOR: David Jarman<br />
DEPUTY EDITOR: Rebecca Cunningham rebecca@vivamagazines.com<br />
ART DIRECTOR: Katie Moorman katie@vivamagazines.com<br />
ADVERTISING: Sarah Hunnisett, Amanda Meynell advertising@vivamagazines.com<br />
EDITORIAL / ADMIN ASSISTANT: Kelly Hill admin@vivamagazines.com<br />
DISTRIBUTION: David Pardue distribution@vivamagazines.com<br />
CONTRIBUTORS: Jacky Adams, Michael Blencowe, Sarah Boughton, Mark Bridge, Emma Chaplin,<br />
Daniel Etherington, Mark Greco, Anita Hall, John Henty, Mat Homewood, Chloë King, Dexter Lee,<br />
Lizzie Lower, Carlotta Luke, Richard Madden and Marcus Taylor<br />
PUBLISHER: Becky Ramsden becky@vivamagazines.com<br />
<strong>Viva</strong> <strong>Lewes</strong> is based at Pipe Passage, 151b High Street, <strong>Lewes</strong>, BN7 1XU, 01273 480131. Advertising 01273 488882