A NEW Bathurst Regional Council initiative to promote economic growth was launched at the annual Mayoral Business Leaders lunch yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mayor Gary Rush announced the introduction of the Buy Local Gift Card, which has brought together local business owners for a common cause.
The gift card, available for purchase from today, will allow residents to purchase items at any participating business in the city in the same fashion as any other gift card.
More than 90 local stores have jumped on board to accept the card in their stores.
“We have enlisted the support of 11 outlets in Bathurst where you can go and load up that gift card,” Cr Rush said. “You can then use that gift card at 98 outlets in Bathurst.”
The outlets include retail stores, chemists, physiotherapists and restaurants.
Cr Rush said local businesses had shown great interest in being part of an initiative that promotes shopping locally.
“There has been a fantastic response to the program from local business owners who are keen to encourage people to shop locally and support our local economy and local jobs,” he said.
Owners of fifty8GEORGE Terry and Marie Rouland were among the first to sign up for the program.
They have owned their store for 22 years and hope to see more people shopping in the city once this initiative gets off the ground.
“We want to keep things local and get [consumers] into our shops,” Ms Rouland said.
“This is a great initiative by council.”
The Buy Local Gift Card will be available for purchase from fifty8GEORGE, Books Plus, John Matthews Pharmacy, Macquarie Medi Spa, Westpoint News, Toys and Gifts, Al Dente, WJ Coote and Sons, News on William, Cheekii Kidz Boutique, Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, the Bathurst200 pop up store and Bathurst Regional Council.
