A LOYALTY card for more than 60 Old Town shops, cafes and professional services is now available – and comes with special offers for regular customers.

Familiar favourites from the area have teamed up with new arrivals and big-name brands to create the membership scheme which aims to encourage people to pop up to the top of Victoria Road more often.

After being announced last month, more than 300 people have already signed up and the official launch took place on Tuesday night.

Old Town Business Association vice chair Kris Talikowski manages The Core and Number 4 Studio, and has helped to spearhead the project.

He said: “The main goal is to get people back out around Old Town again because Covid caused a confidence issue. The card shows people everything that’s on offer, so they might try new places as well.

“The other goal is to get businesses working together – this is the first project and we have plenty of ideas for the next ones.

“There’s a new committee with volunteers who have skills that are above and beyond anything I would have hoped for, it’s exciting.”

People can pick up a card in exchange for a donation of at least £10. 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.

The loyalty card rewards frequent visits to Old Town with extra bonuses for each business, like free cookies with Domino’s Pizza orders, discounts at some of the shops, a 25 per cent discount on Anytime Fitness membership, 10 per cent off food and drink at several independent cafes, restaurants and bars, and a variety of special offers for hair salons and barbers.

Swindon Advertiser:

Coun Neil Hopkins is South Swindon Parish Council’s head of leisure and amenities.

He added: “We need to make sure Old Town’s businesses pick up from where they left off because they have been through a horrible time and people need some encouragement to return to the area.

“We’re supporting something important for businesses and for the community.”

Swindon 105.5 community radio station director Shirley Ludford said: “I was born in Old Town and we have to really value it, it’s a very special place, there’s nowhere else like it.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has a real passion for being here, which I find inspiring. We need to support businesses because their bills will be going up, so this initiative is a great idea and it’s come at just the right time.”

For full offer details click here and to get a card, visit www.thisisoldtown.com/friends

Swindon Advertiser:

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, The Hop Inn, The Little Hop,

Cafes: The Core, Dottys Café, Food Magpie, Gustoso, Mabels, Balulas Cafe & Deli Takeaway, Takeaway: Dominos Pizza, GlamoRose Cakes, Rays Ice Cream, Eggelicious

Restaurants: Moshan Island Grill, Yak The Himalayan Kitchen, Pick Up Point, Los Gatos, Kenzo 72, Siam Thai, Old Town Thai, Gaetano Italian Restaurant

Shops: Deacons Jewellers, Kapada Vintage, Youngs of Wood Street, Oink Gallery, Willobys Furniture Company, Daisy & Daisy, Trousseaux Bridal, Wood Street Food Hall, Wilson Fink

Leisure: Up Town Yoga, Anytime Fitness Gym, SAF VR - Virtual Reality Experience

Hair and beauty: Miller & Holland, Brunettes Hair Salon, All Gruffed Up Barbers, Sweet P Beauty Salon, The Hair Group, Le Petit Beauty Rooms, Leightons Opticians, Pink and Green Skincare, Libby’s Hair Salon

Estate agents: Richard James, Gary Bremner – Keller Williams, Chappells, Miles Byron, Home Finders, MWL – Lettings and Property Management, Charles Harding

Professional services: Anderson Wealth Management, Francis George Solicitor Advocate, Precious Moments Photography, Future Planning, Jeff Quick Electrical, Haines Watts, No.47 Design and Build Interiors.