Loyalty card scheme to help out the high street

A NEW loyalty card scheme is being piloted in Port Talbot to aid its high street over the summer holidays.

The scheme, organised by the Viva Port Talbot business improvement district, aims to reward those who spend money in the participating businesses.

The Love Port Talbot loyalty card, initially on trial, begins fully on July 19 and runs until September 1.

In order to get the free £20 voucher, shoppers will firstly need to spend £10 or more at one of the so far 30-plus confirmed participating businesses.

Between July 19 and September 1, shoppers will need to collect five stickers from five different businesses in order to receive their £20 gift voucher from Port Talbot Library. This voucher can then be spent in any of the participating businesses in a one-off transaction before November 1.

“The response to the scheme so far has been really positive. Since we put the video out a few days ago we have had a few more businesses sign up already,” said Roger Williams, chairman of Viva Port Talbot Bid.

“The scheme wants to help people get back to the town centre in Port Talbot as they’ve obviously had a very difficult year with all the different lockdowns and restrictions. People might be cautious to go back to physical shops but this will help encourage people to go back in and show people that these shops are safe to go into.”

The owner of 2 Sons Bar & Kitchen, Chris Parsons, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the scheme and it’s great that Viva Port Talbot are trying to do something to help businesses in this difficult time. Hopefully things like this can give us all a very much needed boost.”

MS David Rees also welcomed the efforts of local businesses to encourage more people to shop local.

“The pandemic has shown to many people that our local shops are crucial to keeping our retail offer in Port Talbot alive and we need to continue supporting businesses in our town,” he said.