Businesses come together to launch Old Town reward card

After hospitality and retail has faced the challenges of Covid lockdowns, the business association for Old Town has got together with 45 of its business members to create the ‘Friends of Old Town Card’, aimed at giving discounts and offers to members by supporting their local independents.

The card, in exchange for a small donation, gives members access to exclusive deals to over 45 Old Town venues. The card has been created to provide a valuable membership card and raise funds through card donations, to fund the big events that the association runs each year.

This year will see the return of the Christmas Lights Switch On street show in December, the Sausage and Ale trail in September and hopefully a Street Party event for the Queen’s Jubilee weekend in June.

Business Association Vice-chair, and owner of The Core, Kris Talikowski said “we had to pause the street events for 2020/21 due to Covid restrictions, but we are back this year and now need to fundraise the £20,000 it will cost to put on these big events. This card scheme will go a long way to supporting our events, supporting Old Town businesses with increased footfall, and giving members great offers to use”.

The deals that venues are offering vary, but are designed to draw more people out into Old Town, as well as to try out new venues people may not have used before.

“Now is the time we must come together as a business community and stand loud and proud to remind people to Shop and Support Local,” said Richard Deacon, Chairman of the Association. “We want to help people remember that on average 70p of every £1 spent in a local economy like Old Town gets recirculated. Businesses employ staff, source products locally and money gets reinvested into the area, venues and into the businesses themselves often using local tradespeople. Old Town already has a fantastic community, and we want to really recognise that through the new Friends of Old Town card."

Cards can be acquired from today with a minimum donation of £10 through the association website and the card scheme will go live on 1st March 2022. All funds raised by the the association go into running the events each year. The Old Town Business Association is run by a committee of volunteers and business owners whose main aim is to promote the area of Old Town and encourage people to support their local venues.

For full offer details and to get a card please visit www.thisisoldtown.com/friends

The venues participating include the following:

Bars

Longs Bar

Timmy's Bar

Tree Nightclub

Mackenzies

Hop Kettle Tap & Brew

The Eternal Optimist

The Tuppenny

The Vault Bar

The Kings Arms

The Bank

The Royal Oak

Cafes

The Core

Dottys Cafe

Rays Ice Cream

Food Magpie

Mabels

Balulas Cafe & Deli

Takeaway

Dominos

GlamoRose cakes

Restaurants

Moshan Island Grill

Yak The Himalayan Kitchen

Pick Up Point

Los Gatos

Kenzo 72

Siam Thai

Shops

Deacons

Kapada Vintage

Youngs of Wood Street

Oink Gallery

Willobys Furniture Company

Daisy & Daisy

Leisure

Up Town Yoga

Anytime Fitness Gym

SAF VR - Virtual Reality Experience

Hair and Beauty

Miller & Holland

Brunettes Hair Salon

All Gruffed Up barbers

Professional services

Anderson Wealth Management

Richard James

Francis George Solicitor Advocate

Precious Moments Photography

Gary Bremner Estate Agents

Chapells

Future Planning

You can get a card from www.thisisoldtown.com/friends