A Birmingham City Council scheme, funded by the Government to
help restore confidence in Birmingham's high streets and promote
independent retailers and businesses has proved so popular that it
is being extended.
The Backing Birmingham campaign features a free, special card,
called the B Card, which gives Birmingham's residents special
offers at participating independent businesses.
Across Birmingham, over 600 businesses are already taking part
in the scheme, which was due to finish at the end of October. Now,
due to this initial success, the Council is extending it to
continue to support retailers and communities until the end of the
year. Extra B Cards and retailer packs are being printed and
the Council is calling for even more retailers and residents to get
involved and make the most of their B Cards.
Cllr, Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transport,
Environment and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council who
launched the campaign said: "The Backing Birmingham campaign
and the B Card are all about supporting our local communities and
recognizing that they are filled with great places to go and shop.
We already have 600 independents involved and would like many
more to take part. It is a great opportunity for both shop
owners and residents to make the most of the campaign."
Participating stores get free 'Backing Birmingham' signs for
their windows, as well as leaflets and posters to use to display
their special offer for residents.
Any independent outlet who would like to find out more about the
campaign can visit www.BackingBirmingham.com or call 0121 472 9009
for their free point of sale kit, while stocks last. There is
no charge to take part and retailers / outlets can decide what
special offer/s they would like to give to B Card holders.
B cards are available to any resident of Birmingham from
www.BackingBirmingham.com or by cutting out the card on newspaper
advertisements.
You can use your B Card in any outlet displaying a 'Backing
Birmingham' sticker or poster and there is a regularly updated list
of participating stores at www.BackingBirmingham.com.
A FEW OF THE B CARD OFFERS NOW RUNNING UNTIL THE END OF THE
YEAR:
• The Ashtree Eyecare Centre in Stirchley: 35% off designer
frames and 10% off varifocal lenses.
• Lu Lu's Flowers, Erdington: Free local delivery on
orders over £25
• Kolour Kolour Barbers shop, Sparkbrook: Men's
haircut for £5 on Tuesdays
• Jet Photography, Yardley Wood: 20% off studio photography
and 10% off wedding photography (booked before the end of
December)
• Pritam Sweet Centre, Handsworth: Spend £15 or more
and receive a free sweet selection
COMMENTS FROM SOME INDEPENDENTS TAKING PART
Frank Mobed of the Clock Cafe, Northfield
"We've seen a lot of new faces coming in. We have been giving
people a free tea, coffee or squash when they come in for a
breakfast or something to eat. A lot of people have been
picking up the leaflets and we have had the poster up in the
café."
Ian Jeffries, Jeffries Hardware, Acocks Green
"Yes we have had a response to the B Card campaign. Our
offer was 'get a £5 voucher when you spend £50' and we
had a number of people do that. We also had people coming into the
shop and asking us what our B Card offer is - who had seen the
campaign on posters and advertising."
Rachel James of Rachel's Salon, Acocks Green
"It's made a lot of difference to us - we've had loads more
customers. There is a bus shelter across the road with our faces on
it and we've even had people come in asking for Gemma's hair
colour! We've had quite a lot of people come in with B Cards and
have done our special offer 10% off foils."
Tafazal Ali of The Red Couch, High Street, Erdington
"We have had some new people come in and use the B Card and
people are definitely talking about it and finding out about
it."