A competition has potentially led to the spending of an additional $98,0000 in the Bathurst community, supporting businesses at a time they need it most.
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To help encourage spending locally during the coronavirus pandemic, Bathurst Regional Council introduced a competition using the Buy Local Gift Card.
Gift card holders who spent a minimum of $20 at one of the participating businesses were able to gain entry to the competition.
Over a 10-week period, starting from May 1, council gave out 14 Buy Local Gift Cards each worth $200.
One shopper was rewarded every week for the first eight weeks, then three each for the remaining two weeks.
In a report on the competition, council said there were 4902 entries and that the initiative was "very well received by businesses participating in the Buy Local Program".
"With each person needing to spend a minimum of $20 to enter, the competition has potentially encouraged additional spending of more than $98,000 in the economy," the report said.
"The competition also resulted in four additional businesses becoming part of the gift card program, boosting the total number of businesses involved to 134."
Council has recommended that this kind of promotion be continued to further promote buying locally.
It also indicated that 10 weeks was too long and that a six-week time frame with two prizes on offer each week would be more successful.
Facebook would continue to be used as a promotional tool to further encourage buying local.
