TRADERS in Ringwood are joining forces with the Daily Echo to officially launch on Monday an exciting new shopping scheme offering discounts in the New Forest town.

The Ringwood Loyalty Discount Voucher Scheme involves businesses offering significant discounts to its loyal customers to keep them shopping in the market town.

Nearly 80 traders have signed up to the scheme, which was dreamed up by Jim Stride of UK Drywall Ltd.

And on Monday you will find one of the valuable discount vouchers in the Bournemouth Daily Echo with another on Wednesday March 4, both on the Echo’s regular New Forest page.

These difficult times mean that all local traders are looking for new schemes to keep people shopping with local traders.

Mr Stride’s Ringwood Loyalty Discount Scheme idea is designed to get traders working together and for Ringwood people to employ local tradesmen, avoiding shop closures during the downturn and enabling the town to make a quick recovery when the financial situation improves.

“Any shops can sign up. It’s free for all to join in and they can opt in and opt out when they want to,” he said.

The Ringwood Loyalty Discount Scheme has already been welcomed by civic leaders and New Forest MP Desmond Swayne.

Ringwood Chamber of Trade and Commerce president Barbara Woodifield said: “I think anything that keeps people going in and out of shops and keeps people trading has to be beneficial.

“I wish them success with their scheme.”

More information from rlds.co.uk