Loyalty card scheme launches in Evesham

A NEW drive to attract shoppers back into Evesham is set to launch next week.

The 'Your Evesham Shops' or YES campaign gets underway on Monday (October 1) with more than a quarter of town businesses already signed up.

The scheme, in which shoppers can pick up a loyalty card in stores displaying a YES campaign sticker, gives people the chance to win £1,000 in gift vouchers each month.

From Monday cards will receive a stamp every time a shopper makes a purchase of £1 or more from a participating business and after ten stamps the owner can enter the card into that month's prize draw.

One car will be drawn at random each month and the winner gets a grand in gift vouchers valid in any of more than 80 businesses.

The YES campaign will run for the next twelve months with a grand prize draw of £3,000 next November.

Kim Dunn, from High Street clothing shop Bonk, said she was more than happy to get involved with the scheme.

"I’m happy to help anything that supports Evesham," she said.

"The gift vouchers will keep money in the town, which is good from a business point of view, and hopefully that will boost the town centre."

Dozens of shop owners met at the Trumpet Inn on Tuesday (September 25) to finalise the scheme's details.

Dave Kobylanski from DK Photographic, which has recently opened in King Charles Court, added: "I’m new to Evesham and I think it’s a great way to link to other businesses in Evesham.

"The YES scheme is a really positive sign that businesses are pulling together to support the town centre."

The YES scheme is funded by Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council and Evesham Market Town Partnership (EMTP) and aims to encourage local people to spend their money in town shops.

Shawn Riley, EMTP Manager, said: "Most people know all about Evesham’s fantastic festivals but we don’t celebrate the great range of businesses we have in our town centre enough.

"Hopefully this initiative will encourage local people to support the town’s independent shops, restaurants, cafes, museums and arts centres as much as possible."

Retailers can still sign up at www.eveshamloyaltyscheme.co.uk while participating stores can be seen at www.eveshamtown.co.uk/index.php/enjoy/loyaltycard.

The cards are also available from the Almonry Museum, Evesham Community Contact Centre and Wychavon District Council’s reception, at the Civic Centre, in Pershore.

Regional news »