Portsmouth entrepreneur expands use of VIP retail card to encourage shoppers back onto high streets

Community loyalty programme, My VIP Card, which supports small, independent businesses has expanded its affiliated retailers by 600 new companies to a total of 2,500 businesses across the UK. It now means customers in possession of a card can get discounts at more shopping outlets.

The company was launched in 2017 by Maddy Alexander-Grout.

Maddy, 36, said: ‘At the start of lockdown we saw a decrease in sales of the card, despite businesses continuing to trade online, so it’s amazing to be able to bounce back and welcome along so many more amazing businesses to My VIP Card.’

The expanded card scheme is being used as an incentive to welcome people back to the high streets as businesses continue to reopen and to help regenerate the local economy.

Maddy added: ‘At a time like now it’s so important that we encourage people to shop local. That could be your local coffee shop or greengrocer or anything like that. Thousands of small businesses have suffered over the last few months and it’s up to us to help them get back on their feet.

‘It’s the real people and families behind those businesses that have been affected by this. We want to encourage people to shop local wherever possible to help those people. We’re trying to rebuild the high street.’

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The entrepreneur has also recently launched a new card specifically aimed at supporting keyworkers with ‘even more discounts for people who work in key roles and have remained working throughout lockdown’.

The selfless mum of two already dedicated time at the start of lockdown to raising money to support local charities with her Crowdfunding page raising £10,000 in 90 days.

Maddy said: ‘Not only are we supporting charities but we are supporting employers and employees of these businesses. We’re helping employers do their bit to help to rebuild the high street.’

Visit the My VIP Card website to find out more.

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