January 18, 2006
Burnham-On-Sea shopping loyalty scheme is on the cards
Burnham-On-Sea could get its own loyalty shopping card scheme later this year in a bid to encourage more local people to spend money in the town.
Burnham-On-Sea.com can exclusively report that early plans are being drawn up for a scheme similar to that used by big supermarket chains.
Burnham-On-Sea’s Chamber Of Trade is spearheading the plans and hopes it will enable small shops in the town to compete against out-of-town shopping complexes such as Sanders Garden World, Tesco and the proposed Asda store in Highbridge.
“Local loyalty shopping schemes like this are already working in other small towns in the South East, so it could be successful here too,” said Alex Turco from Burnhams Chamber of Trade.
The scheme would be aimed mainly at small independent shops, rather than big shops such as Boots and Specsavers, but they will be invited to join as well.
Rather than using electronic terminals to add points to a card, the scheme would use ink stamps instead.
“The plans are still at a very early stage, but our initial thoughts are that anyone spending over a certain amount at selected shops in Burnham would earn a stamp on their loyalty card.”
“Once they have enough of the stamps they would qualify for a saving at a shop in the town of their choice.”
He added: “We’re not pretending that the scheme would be as big as the Tesco or Nectar schemes, but the principle is the same and it would encourage more repeat trade.”
The proposal is set to be discussed at the Chamber Of Trade’s annual general meeting this Spring and if there is enough support from businesses, it could be fully launched this autumn.
RELATED LINKS:
‘Use it or lose it’ warning to Burnham High Street shoppers
Burnham-On-Sea Chamber Of Trade
Huge new Asda store to open in Highbridge
Sanders Garden World expansion gets the green light
Tesco expansion plans enquiry delayed until May 2007
