SHOPPERS are being tempted to shop in Okehampton town centre with the launch of the new Okehampton Reward Card.

The card has been organised by business support group Okehampton Area Business Owners who invited shops and businesses in the town to sign up.

Group members Rebecca Green and Brendan Matravers have been spearheading the project, which sees shoppers get a stamp on their card from participating businesses when they spend £10 in them. Once their card is full, they will be able to choose a reward.

Speaking today, Rebecca said that more than 40 businesses had signed up so far.

Participating businesses operating from shop premises will display a poster in the window.

The full list of those involved will be posted on the Okehampton Reward Card Facebook page soon.

Rebecca, who runs cafe The Allotment Club, said: ‘Each business has put in £10 and been given a customised stamp. When a shopper spends £10 in a business they get a stamp, and when they’ve spent £200 they can cash the card in for rewards. Because we’ve got so many businesses offering it you can accumulate £200 quite easily.’

Participating businesses include a petrol station, a hairdresser, a window cleaner and even an Avon lady.

The launch of the card has been ‘soft’ she said as, due to the lockdown, only essential businesses are open.

Anyone who would like a card can message the Okehampton Reward Card Facebook page.

Cards will also be available in participating businesses.

‘What we will be doing is posting the rewards on our page,’ said Rebecca. ‘Once your reward card is full you can look on this page and see what is available at that time. It is almost like prizes.’

The scheme is part of efforts by the business community to stay positive.

‘We decided the only people who were going to help us as ourselves,' said Rebecca. 'What has been really impressive at the moment is how strongly the business community is pulling together.’