Horwich town centre traders launch loyalty scheme

The scheme has been devised by Horwich businesses as another strategy to attract shoppers into town.

Shoppers are given a loyalty card, Hello Horwich to which traders and local businesses based in Horwich town centre are signed up to.

The card can be purchased for £5, or £10 which includes a tote bag which has the map of Horwich on it, and will last for a year.

It gives the holder access to exclusive offers in participating stores across the town, for example with some offering discounts and others offering a free item with purchases.

Maxine Smith is the owner of Flowersmiths on Lee Lane, one of the shops which is part of the scheme.

Fire Press are one of the businesses participating (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "It is something that has been created by our group of traders, the Hello Horwich group. We are trying to work out ways to encourage people to try and shop in Horwich and see what shops there are that they don't usually visit.

"We thought a loyalty card that covers the town centre to bring people in have a look around and see the other great shops we have got.

"The loyalty card is £5 to buy, or £10 with one of our tote bags with a map of Horwich on, that lasts a year.

"All the participating businesses add a sticker to their window and each will have special offers."

The loyalty card (Image: Hello Horwich)

Maxine added that a lot of work behind the scenes had been done by Naomi Davies of Fire Press graphic design.

She continued: "The card, for us, we are offering 10 per cent extra in your bouquet, so if you spend £30 you get an extra £3.

"We just want to encourage people to be aware of what we've got in Horwich, we always say we have got fantastic businesses there.

"We want people to really notice what we've got and to come and notice the local shops and local businesses and help the community.

The tote bag (Image: Hello Horwich)

"It launched at the start of June and we've had a really great response so far. We've sold out of tote bags, so we are having to reprint them.

"We're really pleased with how it has gone so far and want it to continue. And we keep adding new ones." 

Businesses in Horwich have previously tried other ways to improve footfall in the town, such as introducing late-night shopping last year. 

Participating traders kept their stores upon until 7pm on specific days once a month, beginning in April, but they found interest to have diminished by June.

Here is a list of shops participating in the offer: 

1st Addition Studios

8-Bit Arcade

Annalise Candles

Balloon Emporium

Button Boutique

Collectable Bazaar

Fine Yarns

Fire Press

Flowersmiths

Glassy Garden

Handmade Hollow

Hideaway

Just Gorjuss Cakes

Lee Lane Pets

Melts By Serendipity

Ruby Rose

Second Chance

Thyme Deli

Walk 'N' Talk

Any local businesses in Horwich that would like to be part of the loyalty card can contact Hello Horwich on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hellohorwich.