Another business support initiative supported by Fylde Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation is set to launch in July 2023, thanks to the dedication of Fylde’s town centre business groups, working together with the Council’s Economic Development Team.
Kirkham Business Group, Lytham Business Partnership and St Annes Enterprise Partnership, alongside Fylde Council’s Economic Development Team, have created a new local initiative to reward residents and visitors for their patronage within the town centres. This follows a similar, successful scheme launched in Kirkham by their trailblazing Business Group.
A pan Fylde loyalty card scheme will launch in July with quarterly draws for high street spend prizes sponsored by fellow Fylde businesses and organisations. The physical card scheme will receive set-up costs and marketing support funding through Fylde Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This initiative was selected by the business groups due to its business collaboration potential across the town centres and shopping districts and for its simplicity and accessibility for all age groups. It will highlight all Fylde has to offer in terms of independent shopping, professional service provision, tourism and hospitality.
Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council said: “UK and Regional options for a shop local scheme were investigated, but it was felt that as Kirkham’s Loyalty Card Scheme has been such a huge success, St Annes and Lytham wished to follow in their footsteps and widen the scheme across the Borough. This new initiative demonstrates our commitment to champion our town centres and strengthen our local economy. By shopping local our residents are directly supporting jobs and livelihoods and I hope the new loyalty card will prove a great success.”
Backed by the Council, each town will run their own scheme under a pan Fylde brand. Participating businesses will be provided with basic/refresher social media skills, and other business support if they so wish. Customers will not require a mobile phone, or any digital skills, to participate as the card scheme simply requires a physical card to be stamped.
The Chair of Lytham Business Partnership, Suzanne Taylor from Bond and Bloom said “We wholeheartedly welcome this initiative. Other than getting behind the scheme and promoting it to customers, participation costs nothing for each Lytham business and encourages repeat custom and the shopping locally habit. We want to encourage locals and visitors alike to make more of what we have to offer in Lytham, and in Fylde.”
Michelle Cuffe, Cuffe and Lacey Fostering Services and Chair of St Annes Enterprise Partnership also commented by saying “We have a wonderfully supportive community here in St Annes, and indeed across Fylde. Our loyalty card schemes are for all age groups to participate in. Keeping money in the local economy will help attract new businesses and funding to help regenerate our towns, and future-proof them for generations to come.”
And Heidi Hopkinson, from Serendipity in Kirkham and Chair of Kirkham Business Group added “Our Kirkham Loyalty Card scheme has been really successful. It is a credit to our businesses and customers that the other Fylde Towns would like to run similar schemes. We have seen greater community spirit and support for Kirkham and will work with our fellow Fylde businesses to help them achieve the same results.”
More information on how the scheme will work, the businesses participating, and where to collect a card will be published prior to launch in mid-July, so please keep your eye on Fylde Council’s dedicated business support website www.investinfylde.co.uk and the Council’s Newsletter for further information.
To read more about Fylde Council’s UKSPF programme, including the approved Investment Plan, visit the Fylde Council website.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
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