A SCHEME designed to drive business for Malvern’s independent traders has celebrated its first full year.
To mark the milestone, during its twelfth month The Portico saw £100,000 spent throughout its 70 participating businesses.
It works by customers signing up for a free loyalty card and earning reward points every time they make a purchase in any of the Malvern or Upton upon Severn shops registered – the scheme is only available to independent family owned businesses in the towns.
After earning around 400 points customers are given a voucher to be redeemed in Portico shops, designed to ensure continual trade all year round to sustain the local economy.
Malvern resident David Ebsworth researched the idea for 12 months before using his own money to launch the scheme last year.
He said: “We set out initially to encourage local footfall and spend in the local business community.
“Malvern is where we all live and work and it’s important we help and sustain it.
“Tourism is an important element of Malvern trade but it probably only accounts for a very small portion of the annual spend and doesn’t sustain the economy all year round.
“I love Malvern, it’s a great town with great businesses, and we are fortunate we have got what we have got.”
The 69-year-old retired businessmen who lives on Albert Road North has already seen The Portico gain in popularity with 20 more participating businesses today than the scheme began with.
Now Mr Ebsworth wants to see it grow even further with business communities further afield showing interest in signing up. He added: “This is one of the best things I have done in my life. I love going around speaking to local shopkeepers in the real world at the coal face.
“Between them and the public this is making a real difference. We have just achieved £100,000 spend in a month which works out at more than £1million in a full year.
“I would love to be here next year and say we have had £2million spent in our shops.”
Visit www.theporticoproject.co.uk for information on participating businesses and traders can email [email protected] for details on the benefits of signing up.
