BUSINESSES in Odiham have clubbed together in a bid to transform the fortunes of the village’s High Street.

Taking inspiration from retail guru Mary Portas, the group, called InOdiham, includes some 43 shops and cafes despite only starting at the end of May this year.

The group has paid for hanging baskets to be hung from the High Street lamp posts, and has introduced a market selling vegetables and homemade bread every Friday.

It also plans to set up an Italian market on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26, which will feature an Italian car rally. An expansion of the Odiham Extravaganza – the village’s annual Christmas shopping event – is also planned.

Jan Baker, who runs The Frame gallery, was one of the organisers.

She told The Gazette: “I honestly believe that if we had not done this, I would have been out of business.

“Trade has definitely picked up and already the market is bringing in people and it has made retailers feel better.

“The enthusiasm from the village has just been outstanding.”

Other members of the group include Moutan Flowers, Odiham Brides, Originals Jewellers and Gallery and Katherine Jane gift shop.

Diana Newman, manager at Peregrine Travel, which is part of InOdiham, said the group is building on some of the work previously done by Peter Fountain, the town manager who died in 2011.

She said: “Certainly trade has picked up on Fridays with the market. People would drive through and did not stop. They do now.”