As Stromness gear up for the opening of the 2023 Shopping Week on16th of July , we look back on the first ever Shopping Week, in 1949, as it was reported at the time in the local newspaper, The Orkney Herald and Advertiser.

Business & Pleasure

Success of Stromness Carnival Shopping Week

Stromness’s first Shopping Week organised by the Chamber of Commerce, has been a great success…This fact – very important to the western burgh – is acknowledged by the townsfolk, and most of all by the visitors to the Town from other parts of Orkney.

The carnival spirit really and truly presided all week. The weather was very kind; and the official opening, which took place in warm sunshine, was a happy prelude for the days of sunshine that followed.

Trade in town was brisk, even lavish, during the week. Every tradesman had his free gift for the lucky customer. Such a dense concentration of flags, from chimney to chimney, and bedroom window to bedroom window, has not been seen since the coronation, and the crowds on the street some afternoons were reminiscent of pre war markets. Predominant over all was a spirit of bonhomie and goodwill. Stromness was indeed a cheerful place between the 18th and 23rd July.

An Annual Event?

Orcadians are notoriously slow to praise anything, especially a new venture such as this. From the ordinary Stromness man-in-the-street the most that might have been expected was a grudging tribute. But time and time again what we heard was: “We must have this in town every year.”

900 Flags

Well over 900 flags bedecked Stromness during Shopping week, we are informed by the organisers – one for every two of the population.

That such should be the sentiments is a tribute to all concerned, both hard working organisers and the ordinary townsfolk whose flags and bunting were symbols of their week long gaiety and co-operation. Without doubt, “Shopping Week”, has established itself as an annual summer event. The local press on Tuesday and Thursday Contributed by featuring Stromness on a large scale. – The Orkney Herald, Tuesday 26th July 1949

Click on this link for information about, Stromness Shopping Week 2023, 16th July to 22nd July