Loyalty card idea for struggling town

Loyalty cards offering rewards to shoppers are the latest weapon being considered in the battle to keep businesses in Oakengates afloat.

Chamber of Trade bosses in the town are being urged to launch a new website - www.visitoakengates.co.uk - and give over web pages to individual businesses to allow bosses to promote their goods and offer loyalty bonuses in a bid to encourage shoppers to be loyal to the town's stores.

Marketing consultant Chris Friswell told chamber members at a recent meeting the scheme could help tempt customers away from large chain stores and encourage them to support independent local businesses.

He said: "I want to see it launched fully early next year.

"I think businesses in Oakengates need to come together to put businesses on the map.

"This website would be creating something special for the traders of the town.

"Businesses will have a professional profile with opening times attached to it and loyalty cards.

"Traders have got to give people a reason to shop so by creating loyalty it's important for people to come back time and time again.

"If a bit of loyalty can make a company we can bring the traders back into the town."

The planned new website would give businesses a new forum to advertise and they are also given the option of a shop online facility.

The website will also feature community events.

Members of the chamber are now deciding whether to continue with the scheme.

Christine Orford, chairman of the chamber, said: "If we want to go on with this we need to launch it at the start of the New Year."

The scheme has been backed by Telford MP David Wright, who is spearheading a campaign to see business rents and charges lowered for traders in Oakengates by Telford & Wrekin Council.

A petition has already gathered more than 300 signatures at www.davidwrightmp.org.uk

Mr Wright said: "There are a number of successful loyalty card schemes across the country and this sounds like a great idea for Oakengates.

"I am still pressing the borough council to see investment in the infrastructure of Oakengates and I am pushing for fair rents and charges in the town."

The next Oakengates Chamber of Trade meeting is on January 12 next year at 6.15pm at the Crown Inn.

By Wayne Beese