Local Loyalty Card Sparks Positive Changes in St Ives

A recent initiative by the Huntingdonshire District Council is showing encouraging signs for local businesses in St Ives. The ‘Shop, Drink and Dine’ loyalty card program aims to bolster foot traffic in the town by incentivizing residents to support their local shops and eateries.

Community Support and Business Growth

Many local shop owners have reported an increase in customer engagement thanks to the loyalty card scheme. Victoria Giles, owner of the store Adorn, stated that the program was a "really good idea" and helped entice customers into her shop. She noted that even though the card cost only £5, it had a positive impact, attracting new customers and generating a sense of community support among local businesses. “Anything active to get people into a shop and shop local is good,” she added.

Broader Benefits for the Town

Cyril Bray, the manager at The Tellers Table, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that the loyalty card not only supports the local economy but also helps foster a sense of community. "It encourages people to come and see us," he explained, emphasizing the importance of local patrons and the extra encouragement the card provided.

Room for Improvement

While the feedback has been mixed, with some businesses experiencing less impact than anticipated, the overarching goal of promoting local spending remains crucial. Amy Seymour-Shove from The Whisky Cafe noted that while they saw some positive interactions from the card, there were still challenges in getting the message out to potential customers.

Positive Economic Impact

Councillor Brett Mickelburgh, who oversees the council's economic development efforts, reported that the initiative, which utilized funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, led to over 400 loyalty cards being used during the pilot campaign. The program resulted in a minimum spend of £3,750 among participating businesses, showcasing a successful attempt to reinvigorate the local shopping scene in St Ives.

As the community reflects on this pilot program, the initial results suggest a promising trend towards supporting local businesses and enhancing the vibrancy of St Ives. With continued efforts to promote the loyalty card initiative, it could be a stepping stone for future economic improvements in the town.