Pudsey Lottery marks first year of supporting town businesses

Words: John Baron

Photos: Damon Sugden

The Pudsey Lottery has celebrated its first anniversary with a special draw – boosting businesses aiming to bounce back following lockdown.

The scheme, pioneered by the Pudsey Business Network Forum, has so far paid out 11,933 Pudsey Pounds, which can be spent in local businesses.

A special first birthday draw was held in Pudsey Park yesterday evening (Tuesday).

The idea originally came from Cllr Trish Smith (Cons, Pudsey). She said the initiative has helped support local shops, market traders and businesses throughout the pandemic and added:

“This initiative was originally to push the ‘Shop Local’ message, but as COVID-19 hit we changed tack and set it up to support our businesses through what we knew would be an incredibly difficult time.

“In its first year, the Pudsey Lottery has created 11,933 Pudsey Pounds, which have to be spent in our shops, market and businesses!

“I don’t believe there is another area in the city supporting the Shop Local/Covid Recovery message in this way and we are incredibly proud of everyone who has supported us in such a positive way. In addition to this, we have also paid our costs AND have over £1,000 in our ‘Good Causes’ pot to allow us to support local groups.”

Lottery tickets can be bought at participating Pudsey businesses for £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.

Further details can be found on the Pudsey Lottery Facebook page.

WLD has reported on a number of initiatives 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.