Forty-five members of the Business Association in Old Town, Swindon have joined forces to give shoppers an extra incentive to shop and relax in the indie quarter.

The Friends of Old Town Card will give discounts and offers to cardholders. Their subscription will also raise funds for the big events that the association runs each year.

The association is planning the return of the popular Christmas Lights Switch On street show in December, and the Sausage and Ale trail in September, and is planning a Queen’s Jubilee weekend in June.

Business Association vice-chairman, 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 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 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.

The venues participating include:

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

Details of the card scheme can be found at thisisoldtown.com/friends