London borough of Hackney residents are being challenged to 'shop local' next week, in a push by Wedge Card founders Diana and John Bird to get people supporting their local traders. The news comes as the local loyalty scheme celebrates its first anniversary and 500th business sign-up in the borough.
Of course, it probably won't be too hard a task for those East London groovers (which include denizens of Hoxton, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington) with their so-hip-it-hurts boutiques and their organic delis to forego a trek across town to Tescos, but some of the testimonials from local residents could inspire other areas to adopt the Wedge scheme and embrace the local community a bit more.
One happy shopper was Louise Clements from Hackney: “I was quite sceptical about my local shops – I use one or two regularly, but I never thought I’d be able to avoid the supermarkets for a whole week. It has been the most incredible experience though - I met more people than I’d met in 10 years of living here, discovered delicious food, bought my husband the best birthday present ever and found a hat that my 3 year old will actually wear.”
During the period of the 4-9 December, the Wedge Card team will be visiting Broadway Market, Victoria Park village, Stoke Newington, Shoreditch, Columbia Road and Hoxton, giving out free cakes and other local goodies to engage shoppers in the challenge.
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