A  pub in Ripon, New Yorkshire, U.K. marked American Independence Day by inviting a group of US-style bikers to show off their motorcycles to the pub’s lunchtime customers.

The Black Bull on Old Market Square marked July 4 by welcoming some iconic Harley Davidsons, and their owners, to the pub.

Landlord Daniel Short hit on the idea when he was trying to come up with an eye-catching way of launching the pub’s new menu, which includes an American-style Skyscraper Burger, and marking the USA’s national day.

“Harleys are synonymous with the USA and when we were considering how to celebrate Independence Day and launch the new menu they were the first thing that came to mind.

“You can’t help notice a Harley going by and the spectacle certainly seemed to bring out a celebratory mood in our regulars.”

His idea went down well with the bikes attracting admiring glances and comments from pub customers and shoppers in the market square.

“I had a number of positive comments from people who had come to the pub for their lunch, and many of them joined in the celebrations by ordering from the American section of the menu.

“I think we succeeded in creating a buzz on what otherwise could have been a normal Monday, generally not everyone’s favourite day of the week.”

Elsewhere in Ripon traders declared their own “Independents Day” to celebrate the independently owned shops and businesses in the city.

Shops and cafes decorated their shop fronts with colorful red, white and blue balloons to encourage city residents and visitors to make at least one purchase in an independently owned shop.

The Chamber of Trade and GRIP both supported the day, which was set up to highlight the diversity of services Ripon has to to offer.

It took place for the first time this year and was promoted nationally by TV retail supremo and government high street advisory Mary Portas.

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