Town-centre customer in line for £1,000 prize
A competition is being launched to attract shoppers to Newark in the run-up to Christmas.
A £1,000 shopping spree will be won by a lucky customer who shops in town-centre stores between October 10 and November 27.
Shops taking part range from major high street names like Marks and Spencer and Boots to smaller independent retailers.
The competition has been created by Mrs Stephanie Bilton, of Newark Business Club’s retail committee.
She said the idea was to encourage people to take a closer look at what Newark had to offer so they would come to the town over the Christmas period.
“We have something quite unique that other places do not have,” she said.
“We have the Georgian Market Place with its history all around.
“You are not just shopping in a nice shop with good service — it is an experience that I don’t think can be equalled.
“Newark has a fantastic mix of independent local, regional and national retail brands and services. As a town we have a lot to be proud of and excited about.”
Mr David Moore, of G. H. Porter Provisions, is one of many independent shop owners backing the initiative. He said the competition gave an added incentive to people to support local shops.
“As a shopping destination we are not doing badly, although the town centre needs investment. This competition is a good step forward towards that,” he said.
The manager of Newark Marks and Spencer, Mr Simon Ogden, said the competition was important because numbers coming into the town seemed to be down, not helped by the recent closure of the Potterdyke carpark.
“Anything we can do to support local businesses has got to be good,” he said.
“Newark has got everything. It is a beautiful market town with bars, cafés and restaurants and is well represented by high street names, but also by non-high street names.”
To be in with a chance of winning people need to collect eight stickers in a small booklet from different town-centre shops, retaining receipts for proof of purchase.
Completed booklets need to be handed in at a roadshow in the Market Place on Saturday, November 27, along with the correct answer to a simple question.
The winner will be announced the next day at the Newark Christmas lights switch-on event.
The £1,000 prize must be spent in different retail sectors in Newark — £600 in gifts and clothes-type shops; £250 in food and drink shops; and £150 in a restaurant.
The prize has been donated by Newark Business Club, Newark Town Partnership and Andrew and Co Solicitors.
Capital Media Group, Newark, is providing all the marketing material free of charge.
The chairman of Newark Business Club, Mr James Fountain, said: “We are hopeful that the prize money will attract people to shop in Newark as opposed to other areas.
“The business club is keen to support retail businesses in the town. They are part of the club and it is important they are represented and supported.”
