Steve Armes runs Snappy Snaps in Ipswich _(Image: Sean Meleady)_
Two small businesses in Ipswich town centre fighting back against negativity around business in the town.
It comes ahead of Small Business Saturday, which will be marked this coming weekend - a national initiative encouraging shoppers to support local independent businesses supported locally by Ipswich Borough Council and Business Improvement District organisation Ipswich Central.
Steve Armes, the owner of Snappy Snaps photo store, has worked at The Throughfare shop since 1997 and became the owner in 2010.
His business offers a wide range of photo services including framing services, film processing and business printing at the store next to the Cornhill.
Steve Armes _(Image: Sean Meleady)_
Mr Armes believes that there is too much negativity around the town centre and that his business is a positive successful example of a thriving small firm in Ipswich town centre.
According to Mr Armes, he has survived on word of mouth and has enjoyed good trading figures.
He said that "a lot of different communities" and people of all ages use his shop with "customers from all over Suffolk".
Snappy Snaps also "offers things for everyone" including trained photographers and passport and ID services.
He added that he has made efforts to bring independent businesses in the town centre together and argues there are "a lot of positives about Ipswich".
However, Mr Armes does admit that "Ipswich has been left behind" and that the closure of Debenhams was a blow.
Jenny Needham and Will Hamer, owners of fashion store Threads for All, opened their business in The Walk in July.
Jenny Needham and Will Hamer in front of Threads for All. _(Image: Sean Meleady)_ They believe that their location in a throughfare between the Buttermarket and Tavern Street has "always had a good selection of independents" is "very friendly" and has a "real community spirit".
The pair also spoke enthusiastically about the street market that was held on The Walk which they helped organise and said reflects the "quirky" area and has helped bring independent businesses together.
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