Community group launches Love Topsham Card to encourage people to shop locally

Topsham, the picturesque estuary town five miles from Exeter, has launched a donation scheme and discount card, to encourage residents to shop locally whilst raising money for year-round activities to promote the town.

The annual Love Topsham Card is available to anyone who makes a minimum donation of just £3 per month (or a one-off payment of £36), and its available to EX3 businesses who make a donation as well. Payments can be made via the Love Topsham website, through a standing order with a bank or at a number of shops in town. Local businesses are then encouraged to make an exclusive offer for Love Topsham Cardholders.

The local community-based group, Love Topsham is leading the initiative, and the team is confident that the scheme will be a hit with local residents and regular visitors. The plan is that, when people get their Love Topsham Card, the draw of exclusive discounts and offers from many of the independents around the town will provide them with an incentive to shop more in Topsham, which in turn will boost the local economy and set Topsham apart from other shopping areas.

The Love Topsham group will use the funds to continue improving the town's website and develop more Topsham events, such as Spring Forward Saturday (celebrating the change to British Summer Time) and Christmas activities. The group also hopes to take steps towards making the town ‘Plastic-smart’.

Buy-in to the scheme from the town’s predominantly independent retailers has been very positive, with businesses offering many enticing deals exclusive to Love Topsham cardholders.

The group sees its work as part of the vision expressed by the late Geoff Bowen, owner of Pebblebed Vineyard, who was passionate about the town and had highlighted the importance of keeping its many independent and quirky shops, cafés and restaurants thriving through changing times.

Paul Berman from the Love Topsham team explained: ‘We believe that the creation of the Love Topsham Card is the perfect response to Geoff’s hopes for the town. Topsham is thriving, with some fantastic new additions to the town this year, but we shouldn’t be complacent. There are a lot of changes to shopping areas nationally as a result of many factors, and we need to be one step ahead, to keep our local business community supported.

'One of the things that is so attractive about the Love Topsham Card is that it supports and promotes all types of local businesses, not just those with a shop front. Plumbers, accountants, shops, cafés, restaurants and holiday lets – all kinds of commercial activities can play their part. By making a donation, businesses can put forward their exclusive offer to Cardholders and promote their business through the scheme. Then, on the receiving end, locals and residents also donate in order to receive the Love Topsham Card. Shopping locally never looked so appealing and, just as importantly, so community-spirited!

'We have over 25 businesses on board so far, and we envisage this number growing as word spreads about the scheme. Cafés, wine bars, gift and food shops and service businesses; the offers and discounts are rolling in and will make shopping in Topsham even more fun! It’s also helpful for us to be able to predict funds coming in. We can then firm up and deliver our exciting plans and activities for the town.'

In a time where local high streets are under strain from supermarkets, faceless chains and big cities, the Love Topsham team see this as a significant and positive step for the town.

A selection of current Love Topsham discounts and offers include:

£20 off when you book 10 classes at Revitalize Studios
25% off stewing beef Tuesdays to Thursdays at Arthurs Butchers
1 Pizza and 2 glasses of Pebblebed still wine for £15 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Pebblebed Wine Cellar in March
A free drink with food from Monday to Thursday, and a free glass of Prosecco with your meal between 5-7pm on Friday night at The Pig & Pallet
50% off all hat hire fees from The Wardrobe
Free Ultrasonic Clean on all spectacles at Peter Tosh Opticians
Free premium marketing package worth £500 when you sell your property through Wilkinson Grant Estate Agents
10% off at a number of shops and cafes around town (including The Salutation Inn when you visit between 8.30 and 10.30 on weekdays)
A number of retailer loyalty schemes where you can enjoy your reward sooner as a Love Topsham Card holder

See www.lovetopsham.co.uk for the full details of all current exclusive offers to cardholders.

For more information visit lovetopsham.co.uk or look out for information around town. To get involved as a Business Supporter, simply visit the website or contact the team at lovetopsham@gmail.com