Thousands snap up first batch of town loyalty cards
THOUSANDS of shoppers have snapped up loyalty cards in a bid to bag themselves a bargain – and boost our town centre shops.
Discounts, special offers and free gifts are available at more than 100 businesses across the town from this week thanks to the introduction of the card.
As the Courier and Observer went to press, demand had been so high that the first batch of 10,000 cards had already been handed out.
The wallet-sized loyalty card was distributed by a band of volunteers in the town this week, in the hope of encouraging people to shop locally.
The initiative was thought up by mayor Lee Marmara and the town's traders.
Cllr Marmara said: "There are a hell of a lot of shops and businesses here that people don't know about, so we want to do something to change that.
"I'm allowing the traders to run with what they want to do and I will support them with that.
"We've got to keep it fresh and keep new things coming to get people to use their local shops."
Carole Weighill, of High Street business Threadneedles, says loyalty card organsiers is hoping to order more cards to cope with the huge demand, though this will require extra funding.
She said: "It's been going really well and the good thing is, people know about it. Most people have been very positive."
The loyalty cards will be distributed at the farmers' market today, although planned handouts at Waitrose and Sainsbury's today and tomorrow have been cancelled
Any other businesses wishing to take part in the scheme can contact Carole Weighill on 01342 410698 or Debby Coghill on 01342 321659.
The scheme is supported by East Grinstead Business Association, East Grinstead Town Council and the Courier and Observer.
Where can you use your card?
High Street:
Anderson Clothing
Arthur Haynes
Bar Kuba
Beauty Preference
Broadleys
Charlotte Rose
Charlwood Designs
CJ's
Cook
Daisy Chain
Dorset Arms
Farmers' Market stall holders
First Stage
Graham Stevens Gallery
Herbert Sports
High Street Dental Practice
Inmates
Jewellery Workshop
Mason and Beere
Monsoon
Neros
Nizam
Penny Farthing
Pizza Express
Print Room
Private Collection
Pulse 8
Rose and Crown
Slabs
Starburgers
Suzies Dress Agency
Tax Assist
Threadneedles
The Barber Shop
The Book Shop
The Closet
Treasure Chest
Tree Frog
Wickenden's
Wickhams Fishing Shop
London Road:
Armstrong's
Edinburgh Wool Mill
Florabundance
Grub Cafe-Bar
George Knight Jewellers
Ja Ja Bar
Kandies
Le Gourmet
Majors Jewellers
Millets
Oxfam
Pizza House
Ria Range
SpecSavers
St Catherine's
Timpson
Wimpy Burger Bar
North End:
The Star Inn
Portland Road:
The Wright Studio
Queens Road:
East Grinstead Gun Shop
Mikes Waterfront Warehouse
Queens Walk:
Freemans Florist
Martell's
Top of the Town
Railway Approach:
Computer Studio
Inkwave
Lighthouse
Pizza Passion
Wealden Workwear
Ship Street:
Ashdown Flowers
Bullfrog Music
David Foreman Carpets
Escort Dry Cleaners
Harbour Fish Bar
Shillibeers
Ship Inn
West Street:
Grate Old Flames
Hallmark Travel
Pets Paradise
Ready to Run Models
Zaraflora
3 Comments
by Steve, East Grinstead
Friday, August 14 2009, 3:42PM
“I'm afraid the answer to the woes of east grinstead town centre will not be solved by 'loyalty cards' however well intentioned. The real problem is car parking. My wife and I have travelled quite a lot through the southern counties of England and East Anglia. We have yet to find anywhere outside London where parking is so expensive as it is in East Grinstead (for a town of similar size). For instance the town of Witney (Oxfordshire) allows THREE hours free parking. The Result? The town is buzzing with shoppers . Nor have we come across these ridiculous parking machines where you have to enter your full registration even to park for an hour or less. I have not shopped in the town (apart from Sainsburys) since these were introduced and I expect many residents feel the same. The council seems determined to kill the town centre stone dead with these awful machines together with the cost of parking! Why can't the first hour at least be free?”
by John Prigent, East Grinstead
Monday, August 10 2009, 2:06PM
“How did they hand out 10,000 cards so quickly that there were none left when my wife and I got to Sainsbury's on the first day? I didn't think there could possible be that many people shopping in the town on a single weekday. Or was it one for each person, including small children as souvenirs, and one to take home for each family member who wasn't there? We'd have loved to get a card each, but couldn't even get one to share between the two of us.”
by Emma Tindley, East Grinstead
Saturday, August 08 2009, 7:37PM
“Emma Tindley Couture (bridal shop on London Road) also accepts the loyalty card but has been missed off the list! Most upset!
Emma x”