Stevenage Borough Council launches new high street app to promote local spend at businesses in the area

Stevenage Borough Council has launched a new partnership with multi award winning app LoyalFree, as part of its Town Centre recovery plan from Covid-19. The place promotion app is designed to boost footfall and sales in the town by encouraging consumers to shop local safely.

LoyalFree is an innovative digital platform which showcases vital area information for locals and visitors including a local guide, exclusive deals and loyalty schemes, fun local events and interesting trails. Stevenage Businesses will benefit from advertising opportunities, customer insights and social media support and the dynamic app allows users to benefit from using just one app across the UK - so they can tap into the local area wherever they are.

Encompassing hundreds of businesses within the town centre, Old Town, and beyond, the benefits of the app will be available to all. Local businesses already signed up include Grinders Coffee, Portside Soap Company and Herts Hair & Beauty.

Cllr John Gardner, Executive Member for Environment and Regeneration at Stevenage Borough Council said: ‘‘The LoyalFree app provides Stevenage Town Centre with a great digital platform to showcase all the amazing businesses here. We are really excited about this journey and are looking forward to more businesses, locals and visitors enjoying the LoyalFree app.’’

LoyalFree’s digital trails are one way app users can explore the town's history, hidden gems and best independents. There are already some exciting trails live on the app including the

Café’s, Bakeries and Coffee Shops trail, the Barber and Hairdressers Trail and the AccessAble Stores and Car Parks Trail which provides detailed accessibility information for local shops and car parks in town.

Sophie Hainsworth, co-founder of LoyalFree, said: ‘‘We are ecstatic to be working with Stevenage on this digital initiative across the area. We hope businesses and visitors take advantage of everything the app has to offer.’’

Download the app before the 22 August and you can be in with a chance of winning a £250 Town Centre Shopping Voucher. The in-app competition can be entered with just one click every day for even more chances to win.

You can download the LoyalFree app for free or search ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Google Play Store.

Local businesses and organisations interested in finding out more about the LoyalFree app can email tcm@stevenage.gov.uk for more information.

For press enquiries contact Corporate Communications on 01438 242168.