A Shop & Support Oakham Loyalty Card Scheme is set to be launched in July.

Carolyn Acton-Reed, business owner and manager at Oakham & Rutland Events, will be launching a shop local loyalty card next month to encourage local people to shop locally - and earn rewards while doing so.

This new scheme will officially launch on Saturday 1st July, when a full list of participating shops and businesses will be announced.

Those who join the scheme will be sent a loyalty card and will receive a sticker or stamp in their card for every transaction in a participating shop. Once the cards are full, there will be designated drop off places where new cards can be obtained.

Once per month the completed cards will be collected, and a draw will take place to select the winners.

There will be three prizes available each month:

• 1st prize will be £100 shopping vouchers
• 2nd prize will be £75 shopping vouchers
• 3rd prize will be £50 shopping vouchers

The draw will take place on the 25th of each month. Any cards received after that will go forward to the following month's draw.

Carolyn explained: "Keeping everything local, the vouchers can be used in any of the participating stores.

"The loyalty card scheme is a win-won. Shoppers get a stamp when they shop and you support the businesses in Oakham and also be entered in the prize draw."

The cost to participate in this scheme is just £20 per year. For this you get:

• Unlimited loyalty cards – once your card is full, you just obtain another
• Chance to win prizes each month
• A Birthday card each year with a £5 shopping voucher
• A Christmas card each year with a £5 shopping voucher
• Special offers emailed to you from the participating businesses
• To support your local community by choosing to shop local

Carolyn is also keen to include more offers as the scheme grows: "The more people we get involved with the scheme, the more discounts and offers we can give, including discounts and offers at the Rutland Food and Drink Festivals and free gifts at Easter, Halloween and Christmas."

Carolyn concluded: "I really hope you will support this scheme and help to Shop and Support Oakham."

Interested residents can email Carolyn for an application form and full information: [email protected].

Alternatively, share your own business news and more by emailing [email protected].