Team effort creates hand-drawn map of Wokingham’s indie businesses

Published by

Daniel Face

Richard Young (left), owner of R Young art Gallery, with Vic Delaney (centre), who illustrated the map

R Young Art Gallery in Wokingham has teamed up with local artist Vic Delaney to produce an illustrated map of the town’s independent businesses.

The gallery has printed 50,000 copies in all, with every map freely available from each of the 39 participating companies. They’ll also soon be stocked by local hotels.

Wokingham Borough Council sponsored the leaflet holders, while Jay Printers covered printing.

And law firm Blandy & Blandy has installed a large feature of the map at their reception in Market Place.

Richard Young, owner of R Young Art, said: “We created the map in order to raise awareness of Wokingham’s wealth of independent businesses and attractions for residents and visitors alike.

“Business maps aren’t new, though ours stands out from others as being far more artistic and informative. We wanted it to be valued, collectable and not perceived as an advertisement or flyer.

“It’s also been excellent in bringing some of our high street business community closer together.”

Below is a full list of the 39 businesses featured on the map:

Anthony Blay
Antique Rose/Maison Rustic
Ashridge Grange Garden Centre
Blandy & Blandy
Bombay Story
Brown Bag
Characters Cafe
Core Connexions
Denton Vets
Dessert Maid
Energie Fitness
Everyman Cinema
Fiona Parry
Funky Flowers
Giftology
Giggling Squid
Hair Poetry
Holme Grange Craft Village
Jay Printers
Joy Cafe
Kutchenhaus
Leafy Elephant
Mayas Refillables
Mimi
Places Leisure
Phils Good Food
Pirates Landing
Pratts Pods
R Young Art Gallery
Ripples
Salty Olive
Squires Garden Centre
Stitchery Do
The Lazy Frog
The Redan
The Wild Card
Toto
Wellington 1895 Jewellers
Wokingham Family Golf

Daniel Face

Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL. Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience. Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.