Cheshire East Council are encouraging residents to shop locally this festive season by offering 5,000 Love Local Life cards for free.
The council are handing the cards out to local people in the hope they will then support businesses in their home town and save money on their Christmas shopping.
The scheme was set up in May 2009 by business owner Amanda Fazelynia. Amanda saw the effect of the recession on her own business Fina Bar and Grill in Macclesfield and decided something needed to be done and created the scheme which rewards local people with discounts or benefits when they shop in a local, independently owned business.
Last year the council supported the scheme by awarding it a grant and the card now offers discounts, or benefits, at over 120 outlets in Cheshire. To date over 3,500 people have purchased a card.
Amanda Fazelynia said "I'm overjoyed that the council have acted and now 5000 local people can feel the benefits of saving with a Love Local Life card. Christmas really is a time for supporting your local town and embracing the community spirit on offer rather than putting your money in the pockets of already thriving national companies."
5000 free cards are available now, on a first come first serve basis. They can be obtained by registering at www.lovelocallife.co.uk and a card will then be posted asap, alternatively free cards can be collected from Sainsburys or Hoopers from Monday, December 13th.
