Discount card bid to attract shoppers

Clothes shops, restaurants and hairdressers are among the enterprises to sign up to Rotherham's new Shop Local scheme, some offering

discounts of up to 20 per cent.

Shoppers must register for a loyalty card to take advantage of the offers, but Rotherham Council, which is running the scheme for six months, said the process was completely free.

Director of planning and regeneration Paul Woodcock said: "Shop Local is the big campaign to increase footfall to the town centre and it's encouraging to see so many businesses signed up and committed to it.

"The marketing and promotion of this scheme is crucial but we hope we've got the basics right. We have the offer and now it actually pays for people to shop here.

"With an increase of free events this year and new shops and market stalls opening up we feel Rotherham town centre has a lot to offer in comparison to competing centres."

Registration forms will be available at Rotherham's Visitor Centre in All Saints' Square, at participating town centre stores and on the website www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk

The owner of Blush hair and handbags in Wellgate, Marie Barrett, said: "I'm optimistic about the scheme as so many businesses have signed up including some of the bigger names such as Thornton's.

"I really hope people who haven't visited Rotherham for a while, sign up for a loyalty card and come and see how it pays to shop local."

Manager of Internacionale, Mark Davison, added: "Hopefully the new scheme, and the advertising backing it, will attract customers who aren't shopping here at the moment."

The scheme will be officially launched on Tuesday, July 6, in conjunction with the weekly street market and the Rotherham Rocks hair and beauty event.