MONDAY’S launch of the Ringwood Loyalty Discount Scheme has already instilled a sense of optimism among traders.

Organiser Jim Stride said that as well as making headlines in the Daily Echo, the story had run on national radio and television and had provoked numerous website messages.

Trade had already picked up in Ringwood, he said, citing a man who had travelled from his home in Poole to the Naughty Corner gift and card shop to spend £30 because he had heard about the scheme.

In another case, Mostyns Curtains had phoned in wanting to know where they could get an Echo sticker to put in their window to become part of the project.

“The traders have moved from pessimistic to being very, very optimistic, and that’s good,” said Mr Stride.

There appeared to be quite a lot to be pessimistic about, with 10 offices and shops closing their doors in the past year or so.

The highest profile casualties have been Woolworths in Southampton Road and Burwoods in the Furlong shopping centre, both victims of the credit crunch.

The Discount Loyalty scheme, which was launched by New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne, involves vouchers available in the Daily Echo and on the Echo’s Ringwood microsite here which are valid for a month in about 80 Ringwood shops and businesses offering discounts of between five and 20 per cent.

All shoppers have to do is present the voucher at the point of purchase and pop it back in their purse, or wallet.