Forum Topic

£20 e-vouchers - free ShopLocal voucher initiative

Mine just came through the post today. Isn’t this a crazy idea to give it to every household in the borough. Wouldn’t it be better to target the money to those who need it? Is there any way we can donate them to a worthy cause?

Sandra Taylor ● 1880d17 Comments

I'd love to see a list of the Chiswick businesses who are taking part (rather than have to look at the map). Maybe one of the businesses could produce that and post it on here? (they could put themselves at the top!).

Simon Pedley ● 1880d

I wonder how this is being funded, what budget it is from and whether the money, which I assume(perhaps wrongly) is from LBH income from public money they have received and/ or invested and whether it might be better spent in reducing shop rates.Many of these vouchers will be not received, not understood and not used.

Keith Iddon ● 1880d

Simon, there is a list of companies that take part,click 'view list' instead of 'view map'.

Keith Iddon ● 1880d

Apparently, we can split the voucher across several transactions in several stores. https://help.evouchers.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4406286080529-Do-I-have-to-spend-the-whole-voucher-in-one-shop-

Fran Queen ● 1880d

Like Keith,I'm interested to know who is funding this initiative ? Is it LBH reimbursing the retailers of the £20 ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 1880d

To answer some of your questions...  LBH was given, by the government, an additional £2.3m in Additional Restrictions Grant specifically to support businesses, as intended by all the Covid-19 grants for businesses.  Instead of distributing it in some way direct to businesses, it decided to introduce a voucher scheme to encourage all of us to spend locally. The Chiswick Shops Task Force (one cllr from each Hounslow Chiswick ward - Cllr Patrick Barr, Cllr Gabriella Giles and me) has spent a lot of time contacting independents about this voucher scheme, encouraging them to sign up; there is more for us to do as some have not yet done so.  I do hope residents will welcome this scheme as it needs to be a success - it won't work if the vouchers aren't spent!If any of your local shops aren't on the list, do encourage them to sign up. They need to register here: https://retailers.evouchers.com/Hounslow council press release: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/news/article/2387/call_for_businesses_to_sign_up_to_shoplocal_voucher_scheme

Joanna Biddolph ● 1880d

Any pubs signed up ?

Julian Pavey ● 1880d

Pilot, Crown, George IV .

Tina Gallacher ● 1880d

Thank you for the information,Joanna.

Keith Iddon ● 1880d

Yes it is a crazy idea.  It's helicopter money, as defined by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.  The government has printed money and given it to its citizens to spend (as though they threw it out of a helicopter, hence the term). It is by definition inflationary. It's not a great idea, unless you are a) the US Federal Reserve, and it might not be then, either. b) Hounslow Council, who are a bunch of socialists with little grip on financial reality, so don't care about such matters - the cabinet all gave themselves a good pay rise this year funded by your large council tax increaseHowever, if you worry about what to do with your voucher, I can ease your burden as I feel I am a worthy cause...

Mark Deacon ● 1880d

thanks Keith

Simon Pedley ● 1879d

Morning Sandra,The Ealing Foodbank are short of food - please check their website for their monthly list.  If you find a retailer selling anything they require you could buy it and then drop it off at the Waitrose collection point.

David Grantley ● 1879d

The voucher can't be used to buy alcohol but can be used in some pubs..? I am glad that Bookcase and the Osterley Book Shop are on the list.

Keith Iddon ● 1878d

I was surprised it came through the door addressed only to the occupier or owner. My landlord could have taken it instead of me even if he doesn't live there and I'm paying the CTax

Isabel ● 1878d

'Hounslow takes money from residents - bloggers complain!''Hounslow gives money to residents - bloggers complain!'

Peter Evans ● 1878d

Who's complaining?

Keith Iddon ● 1878d

I am not sure what I think about it. On one hand it shows Hounslow seem to be trying to do something to get people to shop locally so that's good isn't it?On the other is it just a bit of nonsense that will have no lasting effect?Unless this is part of a whole raft of measures I know nothing about then sadly I think it will be the latter.One suggestion. People like to shop in an attractive environment so getting shot of those horrid wands that are about as attractive as a baboon's backside would be a start.Our High Road is a mess.

Adrian Irving ● 1878d