Voucher scheme created to increase footfall in the north

21 businesses have signed up to the new scheme

Businesses in the north of the Island are hoping a new voucher scheme will attract more footfall and encourage people to shop locally.

In October last year, Shoprite announced it would be closing all of its stores on the Isle of Man after selling out to retail giant Tesco.

It was something that left AFD Software in, what it’s described as, a ‘quandary’ as it provided its staff with vouchers from the supermarket as an incentive.

Lindsey Corkill is from the company: 

AFD Software is hopeful the voucher scheme will be the start of something larger for the northern community.

Keith Dalrymple is the chairman of the Northern Chamber of Commerce.

He told Manx Radio it was obvious they had to take on the challenge and provide a voucher scheme to try and keep more money on-Island.

Mr Dalrymple described the scheme as a 'plank' that will sustain commercial activity in the town:

(Picture: LinkedIn - Chairman, Keith Dalrymple, alongside the NCOC Committee, hands Lindsey Corkill from AFD the first set of vouchers for distribution.)

Twenty-one businesses have now signed up to the scheme.

Natalie Hutchesson is the owner of The Hutch.

She told Manx Radio she's already seen increased footfall in her Parliament Square eatery:

Carlo Tramonta is the co-owner of the Ramsey Art Gallery and Jewellers which has been running since 1989.

He says he’s excited to see more customers coming through the door:

Businesses not currently enrolled as a member of the Northern Chamber of Commerce can join by emailing secretary@ncoc.im.