Shops and restaurants in a Leeds suburb hand discounts to customers if they hold a unique membership card.
A number of independent businesses in Chapel Allerton take part in the CARA card after the social community group was founded in 2009.
Membership into the club costs £10 and access to 10% discounts around shops, restaurants and clubs throughout the suburb.
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Although some may think it’s an exclusive membership, CARA’s website states it’s for “anyone who lives in, works in or simply loves Chapel Allerton” and all you need to do to access the scheme is to sign up by filling a form.
So far, they have over 3,300 members and have also raised thousands of pounds for charity and good causes.
We spoke to businesses in the area about what they thought of the scheme.
Lisa Clay from Armadillo Toys praised Matt Tamplin and his team who run the scheme, she added: “I think everyone appreciates their hard work.”
Jo McBeath who has run gift store Chirpy for five years said: “It works really well, it’s an extra incentive really for people to shop local. I’m more than happy to do it.
“People have been happy to get behind it, people renew their membership every year.
“It’s nice to have something to make you part of the community in Chapel Allerton we’re lucky we have so many independent shops, you can stay here and shop local for everything.”
“It’s good for business,” Lisa who works at New Collection said. “It’s really helped Georgia who owns the shop, she’s done it for a long time. It’s a good scheme to have.”
Cheryl Duffield, who runs The Little Bookshop said: “It’s great, it works very well. It’s a great incentive to use local shops and gives great discounts.”
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