AS the number of businesses taking part in Evesham’s loyalty card scheme reaches a century, one of those signed up says it is not being pushed enough by some shops.

Martin Hammon, of Toms Barbers, which is taking part in the scheme, said despite going round several shops all involved in the scheme, he was not offered any information about the card.

“In order to make it work we have to get behind it,” said Mr Hammon, who is also an Evesham town councillor.

“I want it to work. The scheme has to be advertised at the point of purchase.

“So come on, shopkeepers, let’s give the loyalty card as much help as possible. It’s up to us to help ourselves to increase our trade.”

The Your Evesham Shops – or YES – campaign has been put in place to encourage people to use the town centre during the replacement of the Abbey Bridge.

Users of the card get a stamp each time they buy something from a shop in the scheme and when they reach 10 stamps the card is submitted into a monthly prize draw for £1,000.

So far 101 businesses are signed up and the latest, Abbey Hardware run by Les Taylor, joined because customers were asking about the card. “While I was considering signing up I had quite a few customers come in and ask me if we were taking part, which made my mind up,” said Mr Taylor.

Shawn Riley, Evesham Market Town Partnership manager, added he hoped everyone would spread the word about the loyalty card.

“We are delighted with the take-up and the positive feedback,”

he said. “More than a third of businesses have joined the scheme and we have already had dozens of entries from shoppers.”

The first prize draw will be held alongside Evesham’s Christmas lights switch-on, on Saturday, November 17.

Retailers can still sign up at eveshamloyaltyscheme.co.uk while participating stores can be seen at eveshamtown.co.uk/index.php/enjoy /loyaltycard.