Loyalty card idea

BUDLEIGH Salterton shoppers could soon be paying for goods with loyalty cards instead of flashing the cash.Plans to introduce loyalty cards throughout the town have been proposed to boost trade and encourage shoppers to keep their cash in Budleigh Salterton. One idea being put forward is to have an electronic card system whereby the consumer would put money onto a card which could be used to buy goods.Also on the table is a plan for a card that would cost consumers around �2 to buy - and allows shoppers 10 per cent discount off goods each time it is used.The electronic card would be swiped using existing technology so no extra cost would be incurred by traders having to install extra equipment.Budleigh Salterton chamber of commerce chairman Alan Tilbury said a loyalty card was a 'good idea'. He would be asking chamber members for their input into the proposals.Mr Tilbury said: "It would work if the traders are happy to do it. We have not brought it up at our meetings, but we could put it on the agenda and take it from there."We do already have a lot of loyalty from shoppers in Budleigh Salterton. Customers come back time and time again because we have got individual shops." District councillor and local businessman Steve Hall welcomed a loyalty card, saying: "It could dissuade people from going out of town and doing their shopping."The Budleigh Salterton loyalty card idea is similar to one being mooted in Exmouth.Exmouth town manager Tony Collins council has been working closely with East Devon Chamber of Trade and carrying out market research to gauge response. Mr Collins said funding possibilities were being explored and the plans were still at discussion stage.He said the scheme could be rolled out across East Devon's towns.Mr Collins said: "Over the past couple of months there has been a clear need as well as positive feedback from customers for such a card."l Would Budleigh shoppers benefit from a loyalty card system? Have your say at:www.exmouthjournal.co.uk