Could a Welshpool Voucher scheme ignite town centre business?

Welshpool Town Council is looking to launch a shopping voucher scheme that it hopes will encourage people to spend in the town centre.

The scheme proposed would enable shoppers to purchase vouchers at fixed denominations, for example £5, £10 or £20, at the Welshpool Information Centre which can then be spent in town centre businesses.

The council says it is a part of a wider project to develop a tourism brand for Welshpool and that ‘supporting local businesses and encouraging spending within the town’ being a key priority’.

They have been encouraged by a similar scheme in Knutsford which has demonstrated success in encouraging residents and visitors to support local shops, hospitality venues, and services, adding that the scheme provides an attractive option for gifts and corporate rewards.

But it was revealed at the latest Events and Planning Meeting that businesses had not been approached yet to see if they would support it, and they may not be until the scheme is actually launched.

This drew a note of caution from the Town Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, who said: “I am not convinced this will work. The number of venues and local businesses where it could be used would be limited and we are not sure what the uptake and support would be.

“We must keep in mind that most visitors to Welshpool are coming here to Powis Castle and the light railway, so any scheme to work would have to have those two as partners.

“We should assess what support there would be from local businesses and then to trial it.”

However, there was broad support from councillors at the meeting who gave the green light for the Town Council to continue its research and to move the project forward in principle.

Since the meeting, meanwhile, the town council has reached out to businesses in the town to ask for their opinions on the proposed scheme.

They said that “as part of the next stage of development”, the Town Council is inviting businesses to share their views on the proposal and indicate whether they may wish to participate. Businesses are invited to complete a short online expression of interest form at Welshpool Voucher Scheme Business Form.

“The feedback received will help shape the final design and operation of the scheme, including how vouchers could be redeemed and promoted,” the council stated.

The form can be accessed here.