Local Loyalty Card Initiative Breeds Positivity in St Ives

In a remarkable effort to boost local businesses, Huntingdonshire District Council introduced the ‘Shop, Drink and Dine’ loyalty card, aiming to draw more customers to St Ives. While reactions among business owners varied, many found the initiative to be a step in the right direction for the community.

Encouraging Local Shopping

Victoria Giles, owner of Adorn, emphasized the benefits of the program, stating, “It’s all helping each other out.” Priced at just £5, the card did well in enticing shoppers into her store. She reported an increase in customer visits due to the card's appeal, highlighting its role in fostering local commerce.

Support for Local Businesses

Cyril Bray, manager at The Tellers Table, echoed this sentiment, noting that the program helped attract local patrons. “It encourages people to come and see us,” he remarked, pointing out that word of mouth had also enhanced customer turnout. The focus on local shopping is seen as beneficial for St Ives’ economic landscape.

Mixed Feedback

While many businesses celebrated the initiative, not all experienced the same level of success. Several employees from different establishments expressed concern that the card did not perform as expected, with low participation rates noted in some shops. However, many still recognized the value in the effort to keep the community engaged.

Positive Impact on Spending

Councillor Brett Mickelburgh confirmed the initiative's effectiveness by revealing that over 400 loyalty cards were utilized, resulting in at least £3,750 injected into participating local businesses. Although challenges remain, the scheme has been instrumental in encouraging local shopping and dining, which aligns with broader efforts to support St Ives through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.