Sevenoaks loyalty card scheme could be launched in Crowborough
A LOYALTY card scheme which has helped boost trade in Kent towns could be on the way to Crowborough.
If the scheme was launched, shoppers would be encouraged to spend their money in independent stores in return for a chance to win vouchers each month.
Crowborough and District Chamber of Commerce is currently sending out letters to shopkeepers about the potential scheme. The Courier understands 27 stores need to sign up, for around £40 a year, for the scheme to become a reality.
The Courier asked traders for their view and discovered a mixed response.
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Terrie Holmes, manager of Urban Retreat Hairdressers in Croft Road, thought it was a brilliant idea.
"Everybody likes to get a little bit extra," she said.
"It will bring people into the town."
But Jackie Beale, the new owner of Temptations florist in Croft Road was undecided.
"I need some more time to think about it," she said.
"I think I would probably sign up to it. Anything which brings more people in to shop locally would be a good thing."
Suzi Dunne, owner of AB&C Shoe repairs in Croft Road, said she was also veering towards signing up.
"If everyone else did it I would go for it," she said.
"Anything which brings more people into Crowborough is very important. The last thing I want is shops closing."
But Bruce Webster, owner of Benefactors, dismissed the scheme.
"What a waste of time," he said.
"I don't like gimmicks like that. I can't be bothered with it."
If it went ahead, the Crowborough card would be open to businesses within the town and the surrounding areas including Rotherfield, Mark Cross and Jarvis Brook.
When it launched in Sevenoaks, 100 traders signed up in three months.
Mark Tuvey, one of the directors of the Sevenoaks and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is very much a community based-scheme which encourages people to look at local shopping.
"It's a bit of fun. People like getting their cards stamped.
"It really took off here."
Edenbridge followed suit and had an amazing response.
Peter Kingham, chairman of Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce, said: "I think in these difficult times it is something that brings the traders and their customers a bit closer.
"It shows traders that customers are buying local and shows the customers an expression of loyalty to local businesses.
"It shows people are willing to buy local and not just go to places like Bluewater because we have already had £200,000-worth of lucky cards returned."
Comments
by Napolian
Tuesday, July 10 2012, 12:43AM
“SCNomad - by your comments, I see that you have chosen to misunderstand my point that if a shop sells the goods you need, then you will patronise that business - pedestrianisation will make no difference! If, on the other hand, the town does not have shops that can provide your requirements, then no amount of pedestrianisation (or other form of trendy "tinkering") will attract those shoppers!!”
by CaptnSwing
Monday, July 09 2012, 4:39PM
“SCNomad
Resorting to childish comments in reponse to peoples genuine concerns against pedestrianisation doesnt change the fact that the majority of people who took part in the consultation were against it .You are really going to have to come up with something more substantial than someones objection doesnt count because you assume they dont like exercise or you assume someone else who objected doesnt respect double yellows if you are going to convince people that the scheme is so worthwhile that the will of the residents can just be ignored.
You are starting to come across like a disgruntled football fan whose team has just been trounced 10 nil and all you can say is "that 10th goal wasnt very good " or even worse that result doesnt count because me and all my fellow supporters dont like it.In short it doesnt matter -the pro camp put their case forward and it was rejected comprehensively.”
by SCNomad
Monday, July 09 2012, 2:09PM
“Napolian, there is no parking on the High Street, it's double yellow lines unless you are the person who snarles it up on a Saturday morning by parking there!
Swing I sense you are not a big fan of exercise. How 'much' longer does it take to walk from the main carpark down to Smiths or Boots? I sense the real reason you are against pedestrianisation is the fear of losing access to the Woolworths car park.”
by CaptnSwing
Saturday, July 07 2012, 8:57AM
“Not lazy my friend practical-why would I drive all around the houses and then park away from my destination if I can park a few hundred yards away shoot in get what I want and be away.If you park at Pine grove and walk to Boots etc you will be taking up a parking space for much longer whereas I will be gone after 5 minutes and someone else can have my parking space.”
by Napolian
Friday, July 06 2012, 11:49PM
“In the continuing debate on ways of improving the commercial viability of some of Crowborough`s retailers - have people overlooked the old adage that "If you build a better mouse-trap, the world will beat a path to your door"?
My point is that it is no good blaming lack of trade on "narrow pavements","too many cars", "lack of pedestrianisation" etc, etc. If you have the right mix of shops selling goods (in stock and at competitive prices) that the customer requires - then the buying public will seek you out - wherever you are situated! A good example of such a shop is Southpoint in Whitehill Road. That is not in the Town Centre, but is very accessable by car. If you ban cars and make it difficult for your customers to access you - you will fail.
A perfect example of the folly of pedestrianisation is the town centre of Horley (a similar sized town to Crowborough) it is an unattractive deser! Surely you would not wish such a fate on Crowborough?”
by SCNomad
Friday, July 06 2012, 10:58PM
“Mr Swing you must be the laziest bloke in Crowborough! Are you seriously telling us that if you can't park within 50 feet of a shop you would order on line instead or go to another shop?
So far everyone I have spoken to out of my friends and acquaintances favours some form of change to the High Street or the wider town centre to make it a more pleasant place to shop. The best way to do that is rid it of cars at the very least on a Saturday.”
by CaptnSwing
Friday, June 29 2012, 11:54AM
“On what basis have you made that opinion my furry friend.”
by JimbobJames
Friday, June 29 2012, 10:14AM
“again, i think this would be a good idea to boost trade”
by MrSwing
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 10:18PM
“I must have missed the democratic meeting that decided this was going ahead because the last I heard residents when asked wanted none of it.
I should point out that residents including myself when just wanting something from Boots or Smiths (other retailers exist) park in the car park behind Smiths and it only takes 5 minutes.If I had to drive round the houses to get to the Pine grove car park to access the High Streets Shops I wouldnt bother and would probably buy online instead or get what I wanted from Morrisons.
Similarly to access the shops around the Cross the quickest way is straight up the High Street so its not going to help those retailers one bit but I suppose they dont count because most are not members of the CCC .”
by crowboro_lee
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 6:32PM
“think this is a good idea. anything which could boost trade in the town is surely worth considering?”