MORE than a quarter of town shops have signed up to be part of Evesham’s newly launched loyalty card scheme.

The YES campaign, or Your Evesham Shops, began on Monday and shoppers wanting to take part to be in with a chance of winning £1,000 to spend in the town can get a card from participating shops.

Shawn Riley, Evesham Market Town Partnership manager, said they hoped to get 100 businesses involved in the scheme. He said: “Hopefully this initiative will encourage local people to support the town’s independent shops, restaurants, cafés, museums and arts centres as much as possible.”

Shoppers can enter the monthly draw once they have 10 stamps on the card and they will get one stamp every time they spend £1 or more in a participating store.

Jo Sowerby, who helps to run family firm Shoe and Boot in Market Square, said: “The fact that there is something positive that may come out of something so challenging is great. It is nice to see people care.”

The campaign, which will run for a year, is part of measures being put in place to help shops in Evesham while work is taking place on the rebuilding of Abbey Bridge. It is funded by Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council and Evesham Market Town Partnership.

Firms may also be entitled to reduced business rates and parking will cost 20p for three hours while the bridge is shut for 13 weeks next summer.

For more details or to sign up, see eveshamloyaltyscheme.co.uk or eveshamtown.co.uk.