A MAJOR scheme designed to boost independent businesses in Weston town centre will be launched in the coming weeks.

The Weston Business Improvement District (BID) team will launch the Weston-Super-Saver discount key scheme, which aims to encourage people working in the town to put money back into local independent firms.

A total of 5,000 key rings entitling the holder to discounts have been handed out to employers in the BID zone and their staff, while a web page has been set up where people can check which stores currently have offers as part of the scheme.

Martin Slade, from the Weston Town Centre Partnership, said: “During the past few months many independent retailers in the Weston BID area have asked for a promotion to help encourage people working in the town centre to purchase goods and services locally.

“In response to this, Weston BID is pleased to announce the launch of the Weston-Super-Saver discount keyring scheme.”

The BID scheme was voted in by businesses in the town centre last March, with each of the area’s 700 rateable businesses paying in part of their business rate to provide improvements.

Among the early measures introduced as part of the scheme are the team of street wardens and tourism initiatives such as the Love Weston Winter Wonderland in the Town Square.

Stores participating in the Weston-Super-Saver scheme will display posters in their windows, while BID members and their employees can visit www.wbid.biz to find out what the latest offers are.

Mr Slade added: “Over time we expect more Weston BID businesses to make offers and join the scheme. The whole idea is to encourage the local community to support local businesses.”

If you are interested in signing up for the scheme, phone the BID office on 01934 642404.