A NEW guide to shopping, dining and socialising in the centre of Baildon has been produced in a bid encourage residents to spend more time and money in the town.

Specially commissioned by Baildon Town Council, the guide folds out to give a map of all retail businesses as well as places to eat and drink in the town centre.

It came about after Matthew Wildman, who owns Wildman Computers on Westgate, collected information on the types of business in Baildon in an effort to demonstrate the diversity of shopping on offer.

Traders' spokesman Mr Wildman discovered that as well as cafés, beauty salons and estate agents, Baildon was also home to several florists, law firms and healthcare providers, a watchmaker, a soft play centre, a high-end lingerie boutique and a music shop.

Baildon’s restaurants include curry, Cantonese, fish, chips and pizza, plus traditional English and Mediterranean deli fare. Mr Wiseman said a lot of people were unaware of what was within easy walking distance of home.

“People thought Baildon was just beauty salons and hairdressers. The guide has confounded that myth and demonstrates the fantastic range of businesses in Baildon," he said.

The guide was designed by Sara Mogford, of Baildon-based Assembly Marketing, and 2,500 copies have been printed.

Mrs Mogford said: “As a long-standing Baildon resident and owner of a business in the mill, it still surprises me that many people don’t know what amazing diversity of shopping and eating there is just outside their own back door.

"It’s been a pleasure to work on something which is so close to my heart."

The guide is part of ongoing efforts by Baildon Town Council and businesses to encourage people to ‘shop local’.

Joe Ashton, deputy chairman of the Town Council, said: “We were delighted to provide funding to support Matthew’s idea and we’re delighted with the finished map. We’re currently distributing it to local shops and hope soon to display a large version on a board in the centre of Baildon."

A copy of the map can be picked up at Baildon Library, Baildon Community Link and in many local shops. It is also available to download from the Town Council’s website at baildontowncouncil.gov.uk.