Independent stores in Maidstone will be celebrating the benefits of being homegrown during their own Independents’ month.

Next month marks the UK’s third Independent Retailer Month, which aims to raise awareness of thousands of local businesses. and increase footfall in town centres.

And Maidstone traders who are not part of large chains will be going all-out to let people know what they have to offer over their bigger, national counterparts.

Harper’s Gift and Coffee Shop in Market Buildings has lined up a month's worth of activities to encourage people to think of their local retailers.

Owner Kate Joy said: “Independent Retailer Month is a really important time for shops and businesses like this, and we’re calling on shoppers to come along and see what we have to offer.

“While many people do shop for convenience online, or at one-stop centres, there’s no substitute for great customer service and that sense of community that comes with shopping close to home and we want to remind people of that.”

There will be a 10% discount day on Thursday, July 4 as organisers claim if 10% is spent with them means at local traders, more than 50% of your money stays in the local economy.

Harper’s will also have two local artists in store between 2pm and 4pm each Saturday during the month.