A HIGH-profile initiative to get people spending money in and around Ringwood appears to be working, according to organiser Jim Stride.

Mr Stride, who is so determined not to see businesses fold during the credit crunch that he launched the Daily Echo-backed Ringwood Loyalty Discount Scheme a month ago, said many businesses signed up to it had seen an increase in customers.

Mimi’s Nails has seen a raft of regular clients through its doors since it offered discounts to people with vouchers available in the Echo.

About half of those new clients are from out of town, said Mr Stride.

The Alice Lisle pub at Rockford has also reported an upturn in business with new diners and at New Forest Wines, people who had previously bought off the internet are now placing orders.

Card and gift shop Naughty Corner has reported getting four or five discount vouchers being presented to them daily.

A “classic example” is Brewers decorators, which offered a 20 per cent discount during March, said Mr Stride. “They’ve reported a huge increase in business.”

Mr Stride has also launched a plan to get coach companies to come to Ringwood for shopping expeditions and a market traders website to boost the Wednesday markets.

  • Cut out the voucher which appears in today's edition of the Daily Echo on page 15, keep it in your wallet or purse and produce it when you shop at one of the listed businesses.