The Great Suffolk Street Shopping Experience

The event was held to draw attention to the small local shops in Great Suffolk Street which include a greengrocer, butcher, baker, locksmith and several cafes.

A 'Tastes of the Street' feature included samples of pizza, open sandwiches and tortilla. Mustard bakers supplied theor popular fruit biscuits.

The British School of Osteopathy and Bankside Open Spaces Trust had a stall outside the butcher's. Meanwhile, at the other end of the shopping parade, the Ministry of Fun held a fun jumble sale.

On Friday lunchtime the Blackfriars Nightingales choir gave a concert outside Worrells locksmiths. The choir's members were joined by Simon Hughes MP who as a boy was a cathedral chorister.

The two day promotion follows Southwark Council's refurbishment of the shopping parade with new surfacing, planting and cycle parking.

However traders say that business has suffered due to months of disruption due to roadworks by utility companies.

The latest event was supported by Borough and Bankside Community Council.

Money off vouchers valid until Easter have been distributed to visitors to encourage return visits.