SHOPS, pubs, restaurants, gyms and hairdressers around Old Town have teamed up to create a new loyalty card.
The months of disruption caused by the pandemic has hit small and independent businesses hard, so the new card aims to encourage people to regularly visit homegrown favourites by giving them special discounts and offers in return.
A small donation allows members of the Friends of Old Town loyalty card scheme to access exclusive deals at 45 venues and bring much-needed support to new and long-running indies in the area.
The money will help pay for big community events which the Old Town Business Association hosts each year, like the Sausage and Ale Trail and Christmas Lights Switch-On – and a street party is being considered for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend in June.
Association chairman Richard Deacon said: “Now is the time we must come together as a business community and stand loud and proud to remind people to shop and support local.
“We want to help people remember that on average, 70p of every £1 spent in a local economy like Old Town gets recirculated. Businesses employ staff, source products locally and money gets reinvested into the area, venues and into the businesses themselves often using local tradespeople.
“Old Town already has a fantastic community, and we want to really recognise that through the new Friends of Old Town card."
Cards can now be bought for a minimum donation of £10 through the association’s website and the scheme will go live on March 1.
For full offer details and to get a card, visit www.thisisoldtown.com/friends
Association vice-chair and owner of The Core, Kris Talikowski, said: “We had to pause the street events for 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions, but we are back this year and now need to fundraise the £20,000 it will cost to put on these big events.
“This card scheme will go a long way to supporting our events, supporting Old Town businesses with increased footfall, and giving members great offers to use.”
The Old Town Business Association is run by a committee of volunteers and business owners whose main aim is to promote the area of Old Town and encourage people to support their local venues.
WHERE CAN I USE THE LOYALTY CARD?
Bars
Longs Bar
Timmy's Bar
Tree Nightclub
Mackenzies
Hop Kettle Tap & Brew
The Eternal Optimist
The Tuppenny
The Vault Bar
The Kings Arms
The Bank
The Royal Oak
Cafes
The Core
Dottys Cafe
Rays Ice Cream
Food Magpie
Mabels
Balulas Cafe & Deli Takeaway
Dominos
GlamoRose Cakes
Restaurants
Moshan Island Grill
Yak The Himalayan Kitchen
Pick Up Point
Los Gatos
Kenzo 72
Siam Thai
Shops
Deacons
Kapada Vintage
Youngs of Wood Street
Oink Gallery
Willobys Furniture Company
Daisy & Daisy
Leisure
Up Town Yoga
Anytime Fitness Gym
SAF VR - Virtual Reality Experience
Hair and Beauty
Miller & Holland
Brunettes Hair Salon
All Gruffed Up Barbers
Professional services
Anderson Wealth Management
Richard James
Francis George Solicitor Advocate
Precious Moments Photography
Gary Bremner Estate Agents Chapells Future Planning
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here