HIGH street businesses celebrated their own Independence Day to mark their years of trading.

On July 4, a total of 18 businesses on Wrexham Street in Mold gave away free gifts, refreshments or put on events on Wednesday to commemorate a combined 700 years of independent trading.

A number of them recently celebrated land-mark anniversaries, including Vaughan Davies menswear which has now been fixture in the town for 80 years, while Alison’s Pot Pourri and Emma Janes’ Salon have just moved past 30 years on the high street.

And with Americans across the Atlantic celebrating their own Independence Day, these local traders decided to salute their own independence.

Signs were put up in shop windows, each saying how long their business has been on the high street.

Some of the oldest traders on Wrexham Street are Hulson’s pie shop, which is now 136-years-old and A Feccis newsagents is in its 84th year.

Sheila Williams jewellers has been a fixture on the high street for 55 years, while Clays of Mold has been selling clothes on the street for 34 years.

Grosvenor Carpets and Sheila’s Tailoring are in their 38th year, while Mold Kebab this year marks its 30th anniversary of treating Mold’s residents and P G Framers also celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Aphrodyte clothing store has been trading for a quarter of century and Blades barbers just shy of 25 years.

Academy of Design is 20-years-old, the Sugarfayre cake shop 17, Ultimate Hair and Beauty 14 and Leonard’s Mark hairdressers has been in operation for 12 years.

Some of the younger but equally cherished businesses include Glow beauty salon and Jane Davies fashion designs who are a combined 18 years of age.

Sheila Williams celebrated in independence day by holding a raffle, while Aphrodyte are giving loyal customers 20% off on stock, providing sweets to customers and are hosting a day of pimm’s on Saturday.

Alison’s Pot Pourri on Wednesday handed out refreshments and is gifting a bouquet to a lucky competition winner.

David Hill, Mold Council town centre manager, said: “Mold is very proud of its independent traders and we have a great range of them across the town.

“This year as a town we are firmly behind and in celebration of independence day for all our local businesses. I’m sure all shoppers will find what they are looking for when they visit Mold.’’