TRADERS in Didcot are planning to launch a loyalty card scheme to continue their fight against the recession.

Last month, the town was named one of the top 10 in the country for battling back against the economic downturn.

Now, Didcot Chamber of Commerce is proposing its own loyalty card.

Abingdon led the way in September with a Choose Abingdon Partnership initiative involving 24 traders.

Shoppers pay £3 for a card and pick up points for discounts when they shop in affiliated stores.

Last night, at a meeting of Didcot’s Chamber of Commerce, chairman Mike Foster invited traders to sign up.

He said: “I think a loyalty card scheme would be good for businesses in the town.

“Restaurants could also get involved, and leisure attractions like Didcot Wave and Didcot Railway Centre.

“If all the independents sign up, there could be up to 60 businesses joining the scheme. Some independent traders are struggling with high rents at the moment and this could give them a boost.”

Kevin Clark, Didcot development manager for South Oxfordshire District Council, said the authority was considering giving £10,000 toward the start-up costs. He said the council hoped Orchard Centre owners Hammerson would also contribute.

He added: “Even though some of the national chains might not take part as they have their own loyalty cards they could benefit from increased footfall.”

Mr Clark, who hopes the scheme will launch before Christmas, said shoppers would gain points in individual stores but would not be able to use points earned in one shop in other stores.

But he added: “Once the scheme has been established it can be adjusted so that there are cross-benefits.”

Margaret Davies, leader of the town council, said it was worth trialling a card scheme for a year.

In March, Hammerson, which also runs the Bullring in Birmingham, announced hundreds of jobs could be created by the end of 2013 in a £125m expansion of the Orchard Centre.

didcot@oxfordmail.co.uk