A new loyalty card scheme is being developed locally The card is called ‘Independent Lancaster’ and it’s based on a similar scheme currently popular in Liverpool. Its aim is to promote and encourage local trade by offering a variety of discounts at independent businesses in the local area.
Since local graphic designer and illustrator Jack Knight set about launching the card in the New Year, he tells us that he’s had a very positive response. 28 retailers have signed up to the scheme so far and are offering a range of promotions to card holders from 5% off up to 25% off, and new retailers are being added.
There are cafes, bars & restaurants, fashion outlets, shops, services, quality produce, furniture, carpets, you name it and all offering discounts (See the list below). Each business decides what they want their offer to be and these are promoted on the Independent Lancaster website at
http://www.independent-lancaster.co.uk/, on the Independent Lancaster facebook page and on twitter.
 |
| Jack Knight |
Jack is a member of the Lancaster Ethical Small Traders Association. He told us, “I genuinely feel passionate about supporting local businesses and I thought, rather than sit around moaning about the fact the high street is dying, I ought to get up and try and fight for it.”
Pre-order this week and get one free
Jack is hoping that local people will pre-order the card to generate enough seed capital to launch it. Pre-ordering a the discount card costs £10. To encourage orders he’s been offering a buy one get one free deal until this Friday 6 February. (He told me this by email over two weeks ago and, to my shame and due to a family illness, I’ve only just got around to passing it on.) It only takes a couple of minutes to pre-order. Here’s 4 reasons why you might consider it:
The local trade dividend
- When you buy goods from chainstores and supermarkets that aren’t locally based, the net profit they generate from your trade goes straight out of the area. When you buy from local traders, the profit remains in the local economy to be spent again, creating more profit and jobs locally, and so on, which means we all get added value to the local economy. If everyone changed just one more purchase a week from a chain to a local trader the local economy could be boosted by 100s of £1000s a year.
- Local traders are themselves more likely to stock locally produced goods, which again supports local business and jobs.
- Local traders compete with chainstores by offering unique goods and services, a reliable standard of quality and service and knowledgeable customer care.
- Unlike many chainstores, local traders pay their taxes, which contribute to public services; a trade dividend that everyone benefits from.
Current List of Traders
Latest list can be found at https://www.facebook.com/independentlancaster
Retailers, cafes, restaurants and other local businesses signed up so far and their current offers include:
*NEW* Atkinsons – Buy one cappuccino/latte get one free
*NEW* Elle Jones Photography – First photo shoot £10
*NEW* Go Burrito – Free small “Go Nachos” with any med’ or large burrito
*NEW* Hoover Shop, The – 10% off
Ahoy – 15% off
Borough, The – 10% off School Dinners menu Mon-Thur
Carpetman – 5% off
Exchange Dress and Vintage Agency, The – 5% off
Filberts Bakery -10% off
Fruits of the Lune – 10% off jewellery until 14th Feb
Hadashi Senshi Do School of Karate – 10% discount off for 1st 2 months, free uniform for children (20% off adults) & 2 weeks free introductory classes.
Kitchen Corner – 10% off
Lancaster Bed Company – 10% off
Mariyana’s – 10% off*
Moghuls – 10% off*
Music Spot, The – 10% off
Novel Café, The – 10% off over £5
Radio Shack – 5% off over £10
Robinsons Electric 10% off
Rockpopshop 10% off
Shelleys – 10% off
Simply Flowers – 10% off
Slip Inn Lane Emporium -10% off
Soupanova Soups – 10% off over £5
Study Room, The – 25% off*
Studio Arts – 10% off*
Vanity – 20% off*
You can find out more about these local discounts and offers at