Words: John Baron
Organisers behind Pudsey’s lottery are marking six months of supporting local businesses with a special bonanza against December’s tickets.
Pudsey Business Network Forum, which was revamped last year to support businesses in the town, is pioneering the Pudsey Lottery, which is paying out in Pudsey Pounds to be spent in local shops, market and businesses.
During the first four months, more than £6,200 of tickets have been sold, with £5,085 given out in Pudsey Pound prizes to circulate back into the town’s business community.
For the month of December draw, which will be held early January, local businesses have so far donated extra more than 20 prizes to thank people for their support, ranging from bottles of wine to vouchers and celebration cakes.
Forum chair Cllr Trish Smith said the lottery had been ‘amazingly’ successful in its bid to give the town’s trade a ‘shot in the arm’. She said:
“The public’s support has been nothing short of outstanding and the bonanza is a way for businesses to say thank you to people for that support.
“Our businesses need help from every one of us to make sure they survive after such a difficult year due to COVID-19.”
The lottery was set up to support businesses looking to bounce back following the impact on trade caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – and encourage people to shop locally.
Tickets can be bought at participating businesses for just £1 each and the draw takes place on the first Tuesday of the month.
The Pudsey Pound currency has been specifically designed with views of the old Pudsey Borough – including a classic view of 1960s Church Lane, an early tram negotiating the corner from Lidget Hill, a 1920s view of the (then) new children’s play area in Pudsey Park, and an Edwardian day out to Black Carr Woods.
The currency comes in denominations of £1, £5, £10 and £20 and can be spent in any of the participating businesses in the town.
Cllr Smith said representatives from other areas of Leeds, including Rothwell and Halton Moor, have expressed an interest in rolling out their own versions of the Pudsey Pound.
Lottery organisers are also selling limited edition prints of the Pudsey Pounds. These are strictly limited to 250 numbered framed prints and cost £10 each. All profit goes into the good causes pot.
Further details can be found on the Pudsey Lottery Facebook page.
WLD has reported on a number of initiative to encourage people to ‘shop local’, including the new Find it in Farsley website and the new West Leeds Unwrapped initiative to support local independents.