Shop local scheme in Northumberland town hailed a success after six-fold increase in entries

Berwick Chamber of Trade ran the scheme in the run up to Christmas to try and encourage people to shop local.

Customers were rewarded with a loyalty stamp for each £20 spent at participating businesses.

When the customer’s card was full it was entered into a prize draw where they had a chance to win up to £200 worth of vouchers that can be spent locally.

Stephen Scott, chairman of Berwick Chamber of Trade, said: “We were determined to build on the achievements of our first attempt of running the scheme in 2019.

"Thanks to a greater public awareness of the scheme and an increased desire of many people to support local businesses, we had six-times times more loyalty cards in the draw compared with last year.

"This is a great achievement considering the difficulties caused by the November lockdown and the absence of most of our hospitality businesses due to trading restrictions during the period the scheme was running.”

Berwick businesses have also praised the scheme for helping them through a difficult time.

John Robertson, who runs the Bijoux and TD Fifteen stores on West Street, said: “It was so heartening, in these difficult and changing times, to see regulars and strangers alike prepared to forego internet shopping and support local businesses instead. We can confirm that we will survive Covid as a business due, primarily, to their invaluable support.”

Derrick Holdsworth, who is a partner at Derrants, a luxury fragrance and gifts store, added: “Our customers thought it was a fantastic scheme for the independents, not only did it help generate business within the town by shopping local. For us we gained a lot of new customers that hopefully will return time after time. We are very pleased with how it went considering the situation.”

Nine lucky winners shared the £650 prize fund which was boosted by a donation from accountancy firm, Greaves West & Ayre.

Chloe Smith won £200 worth of vouchers, Melanie Branagan won £100 worth and seven other winners got £50 worth.

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