Encouraging people to shop locally

Two information sessions about the Why Leave Town Promotion took place on Wednesday, with Cootamundra Development Corporation chairman John Stephens saying he felt a good number of businesses will sign on to the program.

The WLT Gift Card program provides a unique and convenient gifting solution for consumers whilst also supporting local business in the Cootamundra community.

The program is aimed at keeping money within the community by essentially creating a local currency through gift cards.

Gift cards can be loaded at and redeemed in any participated business.

“We were obviously looking for a medium to promote shopping locally and this is something that is working in other towns, with businesses and consumers taking the opportunity to support it,” Mr Stephens said.

“There’s been a lot of interest from local businesses and hopefully we will get a wide cross section.

“The great benefit is that the money doesn’t leave town,” Mr Stephens added.

Consumers are also encouraged to register their gift card, therefore if they lose that card they don’t lose the cash.

WLT Promotions’ Ashley Watt said that people genuinely want to shop in their own town and this makes it easier for them.

“This is a way to help and encourage that,” Mr Watt said.

He reported good sign on rates in other towns where the program has been piloted and positive feedback received from consumers.

The sign on cost to be involved is $55, with a quarterly management charge of $75 per business. The first 25 Cootamundra businesses to sign up will receive the second quarter for free.

In Goondawindi WLT has had $37,000 through in around seven months.

Businesses can sign on at any time.

For more information contact Ash Watt on 0407 200 240 or Sharon Breese on 6942 1400.