Wedge Card to launch in Kensington
UK neighbourhood card scheme Wedge Card will be launching in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on March 24.
150,000 Wedge cards will be distributed, with one sent to every household in the London borough. People can claim additional Cards through www.wedgecard.co.uk. 60,000 cards will be distributed to local employees, students and anyone involved in the borough.
The scheme has been running in Central London since 2006 and offers discounts/savings and special offers from hundreds of local shops and independent businesses.
It was the brainchild of John Bird, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Big Issue, and his daughter Diana with the aim of re-vitalising local communities by offering a reward to customers choosing to shop locally.
They say the scheme will be spreading across the UK in the months to come.
When signing up for a Wedge Card, there is a £10 signing on fee, £5 of which goes to a local charity. The other £5 helps Wedge administer the set-up of the card, which is valid for a year. Wedge claims that most members recoup the initial cost in just a few weeks.
A range of independent businesses have signed up to the scheme, including fruit and veg stalls, clothes shops, bicycle repairs and gift shops.
Wedge Traders sell the card in their shops, and they can also be bought online at the scheme’s website or by phoning 020 7401 3913.