Win a share of £500 to spend with our independent traders

Quest Media Network - namely your Reporter, Chronicle and Tameside Radio - are collectively throwing our weight behind our local businesses this week with a unique competition.

We are offering all local residents the opportunity to scoop £25 of vouchers as part of a £500 giveaway to spend with our local shops and businesses at the forthcoming  ‘Totally Local Fiver Fest’ in Ashton. 

The innovative promotion is aimed solely at helping revitalise independent traders and will be running in the town from October 5 to 12.

Ashton is one of some 40 towns participating in the ‘Fest’  across the country next month.

The initiative sees independent traders will be offering special £5 promotional offers with shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs all taking part.

Special deals  can be identified by the ‘Fiver Fest’ poster displayed in their window.

Figures from the Totally Local team show reveal that if everyone spent just £5 a week in local independent shops instead of online or at chain stores, it would be worth £9.4m to the local economy.

Organiser for the Ashton initiative Val Unwin said: “The last National Fiver Fest was a huge success, with 41 towns and thousands of independent shops getting involved.

“We’re joining in with the Totally Locally Fiver Fest to introduce some great bargains for local shoppers, but also to showcase the town and the great shops and businesses we have here, and show how important independent High Streets are to our communities and towns.

“On average each independent business has around 12 local suppliers who are also often independent, family run businesses. So that £5 spent is re-spent locally as well, further helping the town. 

“And the beauty of spending £5 is that it’s easy, guilt free and pretty much anyone can do it. Tiny actions like this can make a huge impact when lots of people vote with their feet!”

Totally Local founder Chris Sands said: “Independent businesses are the lifeblood of our High Streets and town centres, run by incredibly passionate and knowledgeable people, often pouring their life savings into their businesses.

“Everyone is aware of the challenges our High Streets are facing and, so far, there has been a lot of talk but no real action.”

We aim to help change that and want to encourage everyone to take part.

To do just that we have a total of £500 in £5 vouchers to giveaway to 25 lucky winners who will each receive four £5 vouchers (£20 in total) to spend with at least two of the participating businesses.

We’ll be giving £250 in vouchers away in the newspaper this week - and £250 in vouchers next week on the Breakfast Show with Scott and James - so make sure you tune in to 103.6FM to be in with a chance of winning.

To enter simply fill in the coupon in your new look Tameside Reporter, Glossop Chronicle or Oldham Reporter with your name, address and telephone number and send it to us, Quest Media Network, Cavendish Mill, off Bank Street, Ashton, OL6 7DN.

A full list of participating businesses is as follows:

Decisions Clothing - Fletcher Street

Knits and Pieces - Fletcher Street

Goody Two Shoes - Ashton Market

Brian’s Curtains - Ashton Market

Spec Tackle - Ashton Market

Bargain Textiles - Ashton Market

Pearson’s Butchers - Ashton Market

Lindsay’s Cosmetics - Ashton Market

My Medicines - Ashton Market

Cards Galore - Ashton Market

Briggs Butchers - Ashton Market

A-List Fancy Dress - Ashton Market

Suzy’s Sweets - Ashton Market

Juues Baby and Children’s Wear - Ashton Market

Bailey’s Hardware - Ashton Market

Press Gang - Ashton Market

Pillow Talk - Ashton Market

Sweet Station - Ashton Market

Detox Juice - Ashton Market

Wendy and Mandy’s - Ashton Market

Cockney Toys - Ashton Market

Gems Jewellers - Ashton Market

J.L Scotch Meats - Ashton Market

Cordwells Hot Deli - Ashton Market

Occasions - Ashton Market

Jacky’s Floral Designs - Ashton Market

Fruits & Roots - Ashton Market

Nat’s Bombay Kitchen - Ashton Market

TARPS Filipino Food - Ashton Market

Michael Hall - Market Street

Grade A Jewellery - Market Avenue

Sincerely Yours - Market Avenue

Mr Finch & Skin - Market Avenue

New Shu - Market Avenue

JRS Collectibles - Market Avenue

Eclectic Avenue - Market Avenue

Dizzi Gothic - Wellington Street

Happy Daze - Wellington Street

Laura Ashleigh - Wellington Street

Mosaic - Warrington Street

Rouge Fabrics - Penny Meadow

Jasmine Tea Rooms - Penny Meadow