News: Shop Local in Rotherham town centre

60 businesses have joined up with the borough council to dramatically increase shopper numbers in Rotherham town centre as part of the new Shop Local scheme.

Rotherham Borough Council's Business & Retail Investment Team will launch a loyalty card scheme on July 6 in conjunction with the weekly Street Market and the Rotherham Rocks hair and beauty event.

Manager of fashion retailer, Internacionale, Mark Davison, said: "The scheme is ideal as it promotes the range of offer available in Rotherham town centre. By the businesses signing up to issuing an offer or discount, they encourage more sales directly to their tills.

"Hopefully the new scheme, and the advertising backing it, will also attract customers that aren’t shopping here at the moment as well."

The card instantly which then entitles loyal shoppers to offers, discounts and other incentives in over 60 shops and restaurants in Rotherham town centre running until February 1 2011.

The Council's director of Planning and Regeneration, Paul Woodcock said: "Shop Local is the big campaign to increase footfall to the town centre and it's encouraging to see so many businesses signed up and committed to it. The marketing and promotion of this scheme is crucial but we hope we've got the basics right. We have the offer and now it actually pays for people to shop here.

"With an increase of free events this year and new shops and market stalls opening up we feel Rotherham town centre has a lot to offer in comparison to competing centres."

People will be able to visit the Shop Local stall and sign up on July 6 or pop in to the Visitor Centre in All Saints' Square, or a participating town centre store, to register for a card.

Rotherham Town Centre website

Images: rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk