Saffron Walden retailer loyalty card scheme celebrates its first anniversary

A SAFFRON Walden retailer loyalty card scheme is celebrating its first anniversary – with almost 5000 cards distributed.

Organised and run by Saffron Walden Business Forum, Saffron Walden Loyalty Card – sponsored by Saffron Building Society and Uttlesford Futures – has just one overall purpose: to help support the many independent businesses in and around the town that are vital to its unique character.

To achieve this, the card rewards both residents and visitors when they shop for goods and services from local businesses.

The wide range of offers are changed regularly and are promoted by the businesses themselves and by a monthly e-newsletter to all card holders.

Since its inception at Easter 2010, many businesses have joined up to the initiative including retailers, galleries, solicitors and restaurants.

And it has gone down well with shoppers with over 4800 loyalty cards distributed. More are joining every day.

A spokesman for the scheme said: “Over the last year the loyalty card has become a considerable success bringing together a wide range of businesses to provide some really exciting incentives for customers.

“People come to Saffron Walden from a wide area and this initiative from the business forum will hopefully give them an extra reason to come back time after time.

“We would like to thank the two sponsors who helped to fund the scheme, all the local businesses who have made it a success and, of course, the loyal card holding customers themselves.”

The spokesman added: “With 2011 shaping up to be a tough year for all businesses the loyalty card scheme will be more important than ever in helping to keep people shopping locally. And there are some exciting new developments planned which will make it even bigger and better.”

To find out more about the scheme visit saffronwaldenloyalty.co.uk or pick up details at any participating business.