Carrie your Local Business Card

Carrie is your Local Business Card Another idea to bring business into the City Centre.

The Local Business Card was a front runner of the latest rash of discount systems now available such as Groupon.

The Local Business Card offers local businesses the opportunity to promote themselves through regular special offers. The project was developed some 3 years ago but didn't take off becase of the lack of local support. It is set up with window stickers, discount key-fobs and a dynamic website.

We have shown 3 Swansea Council dept directors and BIDS and are surprised that their enthsiasm didn't last beyond a few hours. This scheme, if used within the city centre would encourage consumers to spend more within the area.

The Local Business Card is a simple concept. Card cost £5 per year and entitle the holder to a range of discounts on a whole group of products and services. Traders pay £5 month and are able to put up a number of offers each year. The offers are promoted thyrough a regular e-mail newsletter with downloadable vouchers or a printed voucher sheet, dated with an expiry. The expiry is best to be short and can be anything from a discount,  money-off , 2-4-1 or anything that the trader wants. It is aimed at getting new customers and persuading existing customers to return more often. 


The card is in the form of a key-fob. Research has concluded that paperwork should be kept to a minimum and lost or stolen cards just replaced at a nominal amount. The card is a tool to increase footfall: who uses the card isn't important so it could be used by family members.  


This scheme is simple to manage. The card could be the "Swansea Business Card". It could be up and running in 3 weeks with a small budget and high impact.

Are you up for this Swansea Council?

Chris Holley Leader of Swansea Council

Mike Leahy pleads . . . . .

Lets turn this . . . . . . . .

into this . . .

. . . . .  yes. A happy bunny!!

Seems to me that the Council are like a herd of rabbits (yes! herd may be a suitable word and it's the correct one) as soon as they see any event being organised, any business trying to make a profit, any householder wanting to make home improvements. They are blinkered and can only see "Health and Safety", "Compliance", "Planning Permission" or "Will we be sued?" and shout "STOP!", "NO!" or "YOU CAN'T DO THAT HERE!".

Come on Chris Holley, this is your opportunity to become a leader of men (and women) and show us that you are at the helm and that you are directing your band of merry men to slash the red-tape, become positive and find opportunities to bring the community together and not rend it asunder.

CHRIS HOLLEY THIS IS YOUR WATERLOO!

A Cry for Help? No a Shout to success

Another idea bringing Swansea alive!

Why not employ a Town Crier? Think about it. There would be a competition to find the best Town Crier, This would be a build up through local radio and the South Wales Evening Post and possible coverage by both BBC Wales and local independant TV and radio.

A town crier, or bellman, is an officer of the court who makes public pronouncements as required by the court. They carry a handbell to attract people's attention, as they shout the words "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!" before making their announcements. The word "Oyez" means "hear ye," which is a call for silence and attention. Oyez derives from the Anglo-Norman word for listen. The proclamations book in Chester from the early 19th century records this as O Yes, O Yes!
The Town Crier, dressed fully in his traditional robes would be a welcome sight and a regular attraction in the City Centre.

But can the Local Authority afford a Town Crier? The simple answer is a resounding “YES!” because he could be advertising local retailers at a low outlay. In fact the alternatives are through BIDS which could ensure all businesses are given an advertising spot, or do it by a fair, transparent draw: or businesses could be offered the facility on a first come first served but at a reasonably cost, maybe a sliding scale so the smallest businesses would have an opportunity to participate This shouldn’t be a money making scheme that the council can use  as a top up.

Think of the benefits. A colourful character walking around the City; his bell and voice certainly attracting attention: advertising forthcoming events (not just council events) attractions, news items and other news; something different!!

There are dozens of free, low-cost or self financing ideas that will help Swansea become more interesting. Watch out for more.

Is Chris Holley reading this and will he, as leader of the Council, take any action. He can call me on 0796 364681