'Brilliant' idea set to vitalise Lockyer

The gift cards will only be available to local businesses, allowing shoppers to use the value on the card at any participating store in the region.

Owner of Bridgestone Select Plainland, Michael Kebbell, is already excited for the arrival of the cards. Picture: Ebony Graveur

A REGION-specific gift card is set to boost the local economy and promote shopping locally.

At its Local Business Recognition dinner earlier this month, the Lockyer Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced it would bring a Lockyer Valley gift card promotion to residents and businesses.

The gift cards will only be available to local businesses that are also members of the chamber, allowing shoppers to use the value on the card at any participating store in the region.

Chamber secretary Mark Newton estimated more than 70 businesses in the region were presently members.

He said the promotion would be rolled out within the next couple of months.

"We're in the process of approaching businesses who want to participate in the program and accept the card,” Mr Newton said.

"If they wish to come forward now, they can contact me.”

When somebody purchases a card, they will be able to load it up with value between $10 and $1000.

Promising to incentivise shopping locally, the concept has businesses excited.

When he heard about the card, Bridgestone Select Plainland owner Michael Kebbell said he went to sign up right away.

"It keeps the money local and means more business for us,” Mr Kebbell said.

He said he could envision the card making its way to people from out of town, which would then encourage visitors to the area.

"You can give the card to someone on the Gold Coast or Brisbane and it gives them the day trip out here and helps them see how great the area is,” he said.

"It will mean local businesses get busier, meaning they'll employ more staff,” he said.

"People often forget when they buy off the local guy, they're helping put a local family through school and that kind of thing.”

Chamber president Paul Emmerson said gift cards were already a popular gift.

"The common thing is to go to the large stores, whereas this one actually gives us two benefits,” Mr Emmerson said.

"It can be used locally, so you don't have to go the chain stores to use it and the person who receives it can go wherever they like and are not bound by a single store.”

Owners of local businesses should contact Mark Newton on secretary@lockyer

chamber.com.au to

register.

Originally published as 'Brilliant' idea set to vitalise Lockyer