Stop Scrolling. Start Strolling.
How Strategic Marketing, PR and Local Collaboration Drove Festive Footfall in Brighton this Christmas.
The Challenge
In a season dominated by online shopping and rising competition for attention, many Sussex retailers face the same challenge: how do you cut through seasonal noise and turn online interest into increased real-life Christmas shopping footfall?
Our Approach
This festive season, Tide & Bloom partnered with Brighton’s iconic Hanningtons Lane independent retailers, Secret Sussex and local press to deliver an impactful Sussex-focussed PR campaign.
Rather than competing with national retailers, our strategy celebrated what makes supporting Sussex independent businesses so special.
The PR campaign positioned Hanningtons Lane as a must-visit festive retail destination; reconnecting shoppers with the joy of Christmas shopping, thoughtful gifts and support local, Brighton-based businesses.
The Result?
Increased brand visibility & amplification across Sussex
Stronger independent retailer, local makers and Christmas shopper engagement
Renewed festive footfall at one of Brighton’s most characterful retail destinations
The Tide & Bloom Effect
At the heart of this campaign were local collaborations, securing talented Sussex creatives to deliver the right project outcomes, and impact.
The creative delivered a simple but effective call to action: “Stop Scrolling. Start Strolling.” Encouraging shoppers to step away from online overload and rediscover the joy of more meaningful, Christmas shopping.
Beautifully Designed Creative
Collaborating with Brighton illustrator Danielle Brooks, we delivered a suite of characterful and bespoke illustrations to bring Hanningtons Lane retail destination to life with a blend of nostalgia, discovery and festive charm.
Showcasing the Lane’s tucked-away location and its independent shops and gifts, using warm festive details to create a sense of magic and invitation.
We delivered a suite of digital and social creative to celebrate the independent retailers, consciously curated gifts and ‘meet the maker’ moments, positioning Hanningtons Lane as a place to rediscover the joy of Christmas shopping.
Impactful Storytelling Content
Collaborating with Secret Sussex, we produced a series of short videos filmed on location with Hanningtons Lane retailers themselves.
These 6 x short films:
Captured Brighton’s festive atmosphere
Spotlighted the personalities behind independent businesses
Showcased thoughtful gift ideas and stocking fillers
Encouraged shoppers to explore Hanningtons Lane
Secured local press coverage across Sussex
Activating local media partners Brighton Argus, The Brighton Squawk, Btn on the Inside, we amplified the Hanningtons Lane festive events during the critical December window.
This was strengthened by a Latest TV live interview and a strategic collaboration with Secret Sussex,
Together, the local PR coverage captured Brighton’s unmistakable independent retailer spirit and festive atmosphere, to drive visibility and increased Christmas shopping footfall.
How Tide & Bloom Supports Sussex Businesses
Tide & Bloom is a Sussex-based brand, marketing and PR consultancy supporting:
Independent retailers
Hospitality and food & drink brands
Tourism and destination businesses
Purpose-led local organisations
We help businesses amplify their brand visibility, attract their ideal customers and build momentum through strategic brand, marketing, PR and partnership-led campaigns.
