A NEW initiative is launching in Cirencester to encourage people to support businesses and revitalise the capital of the Cotswolds.

From Monday, April 12, non-essential shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens will be allowed to reopen, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

As the new panels on the House of Fraser building illustrate, Cirencester has lots of ‘independent shops, individual food, incredible history and inspirational events’ all of which need support when they re-open.

To boost trade, Cirencester Chamber of Commerce is launching the My Cirencester card with the support of Cirencester Town Council and Cotswold District Council.

Every business participating in the scheme will have an offer or discount available exclusively to My Círencester card holders only.

In the May issue of Círen Scene, every household in Cirencester will be given a card together with an explanatory leaflet. The card will also be available in participating retailers in the town centre and other businesses on Love Lane.

Once you receive your card, you can activate it by sending CCOC your email address. As soon as you have done this you can start using it to take advantage of exclusive offers, with offers varying from business to business.

Participating shops will have window stickers and in-store displays advertising the scheme.

CCOC will keep card holders up to date with the latest offers via social media and Mailchimp.

The idea was conceived by Anne Marie Thurgood, David Fowles and Adam Vines from CCOC.

David Fowles, vice president of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce, said: “Even before lockdown, the ‘traditional high street’ in Cirencester and other market towns in the Cotswolds was under huge pressure from the internet and out of town retail.

“As such we were trying to find a way of getting residents and visitors to re-engage with the local shops

“On the one hand, Covid-19 has forced us all to find new ways of working but on the other it has enabled the business community, the voluntary sector and the local councils to work more closely together.

“The idea for My Cirencester was jointly conceived by the president Anne Marie Thurgood and the two vice presidents Adam Vines and myself with huge support from Andrew Tubb of Cirencester Town Council and Paul James at Cotswold District Council.

“We believe it is a very simple and cost effective way of unifying all the independent businesses in the town by providing them with a unique marketing initiative to promote their individual businesses and re energise the high street.”

Cirencester will be the first town in the district to have a card but other towns will follow shortly, with Tetbury set to be the second town to receive a My Tetbury card.

You can use the card if you don’t provide your email address but you will be unable to receive regular emails with the latest offers.

For further information, email info@cirencesterchamber.org.uk.