SHOPPERS descended on an independent chocolate shop in Bury St Edmunds yesterday as part of what is thought to be the county’s first ‘cash mob’.

Catriona Brinkley, owner of the Bury Chocolate Shop in St John’s Street, had a pleasant surprise when 10 to 12 people showed up all at once wanting to make a purchase.

The cash mob - which is a type of flash mob where a group of people assemble suddenly in a public place - was organised by Suffolk Circle, a membership organisation.

Damien Ribbans, general manager of Suffolk Circle, said the idea for the cash mob had come from the friend of a friend.

“This shop has been incredibly supportive of us in the past, and this is a way we can say thank you, support local businesses and our struggling high streets and have a bit of fun along the way too!”

He added: “The reason we are doing it is we are interested in activating local communities.”

The idea was for shoppers who turned up to spend about £5 each.

Mrs Brinkley said it was “lovely” to have been supported in this way.

“It’s great and it’s really important - so many people say they don’t know the shop is here even though it’s been here ten-and-a-half-years.”

Mrs Brinkley, who has been running the shop for two-and-a-half years, said she had a lot of regular customers, adding her goods are seasonal so sales spike at times like Easter and Mother’s Day.

Suffolk Circle and the Bury Chocolate Shop support eachother: Suffolk Circle members have enjoyed tasting events at the shop, where they receive a discount, and the shop’s website has a link to Suffolk Circle.

Mr Ribbans said the intention was to hold more cash mob events to support other local businesses.