Thanet's Shop Local First scheme, which aims to get residents and visitors shopping locally, is to be used in another shopping area in Kent.
Thanet District Council, who developed the scheme, were contacted by Swale Borough Council, who wanted to find out more about the success of Shop Local First.
The scheme was launched in Thanet in November 2009 for businesses based in the five pilot shopping areas of Birchington, Broadstairs, Margate, Northdown Road in Cliftonville and Ramsgate. Over 100 businesses have joined the scheme and nearly 30,000 incentive cards, with offers from businesses on the scheme, have been given out across Thanet.
Now Swale are planning to introduce their own scheme, called Shop Local First, Shop in Sheppey, with businesses being invited to join up. Thanet District Council has also been approached by a number of other councils, who are looking at setting up similar schemes in their areas, including Medway and Rochdale.
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "Shop Local First has already generated lots of positive feedback in Thanet and has helped to promote the huge variety of shops we have in our local high streets to residents and visitors. We're delighted to be able to help other areas introduce similar schemes. It's great recognition for Thanet and the work that we're doing to help try and support local traders during this difficult time."
Thanet's Shop Local First scheme is set to be expanded over the next few weeks, as restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars join the second phase of the campaign. You can pick up your Shop Local First incentive card from any of the businesses taking part and Thanet's Gateway Plus in Margate. Businesses taking part in the scheme display a Shop Local First sticker in their window and there is a full list of which shops are signed up at www.thanet.gov.uk/shoplocal Businesses who want to join the scheme should call 01843 577050.
The scheme is running initially for a year in Thanet, but if successful, it could be extended for longer and into other parts of the district.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
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I think you will find variations on the scheme alrady across Kent, Whitstable has its Whit Card and Herne Bay a Bay Card, there may be others.
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