MP launches new loyalty card (From Stourbridge News)

MP launches new loyalty card

12:26pm Wednesday 22nd April 2009

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STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho helped to launch the new Buylocal2u discount card at the town’s farmers’ market.

The card, the brainchild of Kinver businessman Geoff Harper, aims to offer shoppers discounts from participating Stourbridge stores - to encourage visitors and regulars to keep using the town.

Lynda said: “I'm really pleased to launch this new card and am urging as many local people as possible to sign up.

“It’s a small step, but it’s something to get behind and focus on - that can only be good for the town.”

Dudley Council’s town centre regeneration manager David Morris said: “We’re supporting it. The idea is to try and keep people in Stourbridge in these difficult times.”

Russell Dean, operations manager for Sketts & Co which runs the farmers markets, added: “It’s something different; I think anything that can gather interest is a good idea.”

So far the card scheme has only been embraced by the farmers’ market traders - and a handful of town businesses including Patricia Ann Textile, Hammond Hill, Lark Hill General Stores and Ink Gloss. But the team behind it hope more traders will soon follow-suit.

Businesses interested in signing up to the scheme pay between £3.50 and £12.50 a week - and shoppers pay £1 for a card (ten per cent of which goes to charity) which entitles them to discounts of five or ten per cent on purchases from participating shops, stallholders and town firms.

Geoff Harper, founder of Buylocal2u, said: “Through the card system we are giving the public incentives to buy from local independent traders.

“These cards work well in other towns and cities - so we want our local town to benefit too.

“The response and feedback we are getting from the public is good - and the great thing about the card system is that everyone can be a part of it, from the independent trader to every member of the public.”

Discount cards are available from town businesses displaying the Buylocal2u logo or online at www.buylocal2u.com - and businesses interested in joining the scheme can call Mr Harper on 0800 032 12 20 or go to buylocal2u.com/help

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