The Bathurst Card is a loyalty program that rewards people for shopping locally.

Advertising manager with the Western Advocate, Rochelle Cummings said the local daily newspaper adopted the idea after it had been successfully trialled in other cities.

Ms Cummings said the Bathurst Card rewards its users in a number of ways.

Initially, the Bathurst Card will give shoppers access to specials at a number of participating businesses in the city.

The weekly specials will feature in the Western Advocate, so you can keep track of the week’s best buys.

Secondly, by shopping at participating businesses shoppers will have their Bathurst Card number recorded and will go into a draw to win $100 each week.

If the money isn’t won, it jackpots each week.

Bathurst mayor Paul Toole said shopping local was important to the city’s economy.

“It’s important that we try to keep every dollar that we can in the region,” he said.

“It has a real flow-on effect and helps with employment and creates job opportunities.

“The Bathurst Card is an initiative which helps achieve this and I would urge everyone to join the loyalty program. Everyone’s a winner and that’s got to be good for the Bathurst region.”

* Any businesses interested in joining the Bathurst Card program can contact Rochelle Cummings on 63312611