Loyalty returns to Caterham

Home of shoplocalcaterham.co.uk

Register here for information or send eMail for further details.

eMail: caterhamabc@mac.com or info@meetcaterhambusiness.co.uk

The business and retail launch of a loyalty campaign for Caterham was on Feb 9th at the Miller Centre. Over 50 people gathered to hear of the intention to launch a scheme covering Caterham Valley and Caterham on the Hill.

Peter Ainsworth MP and Tony Elias from Tandridge supported the initiative from the Caterham Valley Business Partnership and ABC - A Better Caterham project. Its also supported by Business Link and Surrey Chambers of Commerce. The idea comes from the Town's business community.

The outcome of the meeting is for a loyalty scheme to be developed and available for all retail and Caterham business to join. Timescale will hopefully be short and all those interested to take part please register your interest if you have not already done so. Our goal is for 20 or more shops, services and businesses to take part and the initiative will cover Valley and Hill. The intent is to expand the group to cover the whole area and perhaps become the Caterham Business Partnership in the process.

There is potential to offer participation in the scheme to neighbouring places, like Warlingham, Whyteleafe and Woldingham.

Regards

Andrew Browne
Marc Hansen
Chris Windridge
Graham Tapley

Press Release:

Caterham's

Local Shopping & Trade Campaign

ABC Caterham and Caterham Business Partnership

The campaign began Feb 9th.

On February 9th there was a launch event for Retailers and Business to introduce the campaign, share information and for people to sign up to be involved. The campaign will cover both Hill and Valley and be a "Whole of Caterham" exercise.

Peter Ainsworth spoke in support of the proposal, which is in line with initiatives he has been endorsing recently.

The exercise is also endorsed and supported by Business Link, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, FSB ( Federation of Small Businesses), Tandridge District Council , Surrey Community action and our local Surrey County Councillor Sally Marks.

Andrew Browne, leader of the Caterham Business Partnership, Chris Windridge and Graham Tapley of ABC - A Better Caterham project, provided supporting details.

Other towns that have introduced schemes have seen their business and economic activity grow. In today's economic situation, we would be happy to hold the current levels and this initiative is about acting now, to help our town, its businesses and its community.

You can register your interest by completing the brief form in the links to the right, click here, or visit either of the J.J.Browne shops in the valley to pick up a form, or any others where you see the Shop Smart, Shop Local logo.

Not only does this make sound economic sense its also a "green" tactic, hence our chosen colour schemes.

Here are 10 reasons for why we should act:

SHOP SMART, SHOP LOCAL .

10 reasons to shop local
…things to let your customers know

1. Local shops sell a wide range of great products at affordable prices.

Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally & are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available.

2. Shopping local saves you money

Out of town shops have done a good job of convincing us all that sole traders = expensive, but the evidence just isn’t there to back this up . If you add in travel, parking costs, fees to transport larger items home and your time, the overall cost is often much higher.

3. Shopping locally retains our communities

People don’t like losing shops and services in small towns and villages but don’t equate this to how they spend their money. Shops will only survive if customers spend locally – so if you want a vibrant town centre, where people can socialise as well as shop, shop locally.

4. Shopping local retains our distinctiveness– no clone towns allowed!

Many town centres in Britain look the same with franchises and multinationals. Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Independent shops keep traditional local products alive. They respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs. They can also be more innovative…….organic products were first developed by independent traders.

5. Shopping local saves the environment

We are all aware of CO2 emissions and our environmental impact. Local shops, which often stock a high percentage of local sourced goods, products and do not require long car & bus journeys to get to, help reduce our global footprint.

6. Shopping local creates jobs

Shops in our town centres and villages create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy. Over half a million people are employed in retail in our rural towns and villages. Evidence shows that for every £10 spent in an independent shop £25 is generated for the local economy compared to £14 spent in multinationals.


7. Local independent shops invest more in our communities

Sole traders and independent stores are proportionally more generous in their support for local charities, carnivals, schools and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial return for our community

8. Local shops are for everyone

Most people can get to their local shops easily and this is especially important for elderly, vulnerable and young people and those without transport. Keeping your shops open by buying locally helps the whole community.

9. Local shops value you more

Evidence from numerous surveys shows people receive better customer care and service in local shops. Traders survive by their reputation and repeat business - so shopping local means that you get a higher standard of service.

10. Shopping local saves services

Private, voluntary and public sector services cluster around shops. The loss of the high street often corresponds to a reduction in these services. As shops disappear, so do hairdressers, vets, dentists etc.

SO… shop smart, shop local

Register for more details as available here