ILKLEY Business Improvement District has launched a new partnership with award winning app LoyalFree, as part of the town’s recovery plan from Covid-19.

Ilkley has become the fourth Yorkshire BID to sign up to the app, currently live in 25 UK towns and cities, which will help the town boost footfall and sales by encouraging consumers to shop local safely. The scheme gives area information, including a local guide, exclusive deals and loyalty schemes, local events and interesting trails.

BID members will benefit from advertising opportunities, customer insights and social media support. Local businesses already signed up include Martinez, Panache, Dobson and Robinson Intersport, Phillips Jewellers and Banyan.

Helen Rhodes, Ilkley BID Manager, said: “The LoyalFree app provides the perfect solution for Ilkley businesses and it could not have come at a better time for the town. Many businesses have already added their details to the platform and we hope the locals and visitors enjoy all the features the LoyalFree app has to offer.”

People are being invited to discover the town’s rich history with the Ilkley’s History and Heritage trail or find a cafe with the independent coffee shop trail.

Helen added: “We will be adding lots more interactive trails for the whole family to enjoy and running in-app competitions, encouraging people to Shop Local.

“To kick off this campaign, we are running a competition which will see everyone who downloads the app before the end of August having the chance to win one of three prizes of £100 to be spent with local ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses. Additionally, LoyalFree make a donation to charity every time someone redeems a deal via the app so shopping locally helps not just our businesses but some worthy causes too.”

One of the prizes has been donated by the three Ilkley district councillors from funding made available by Bradford Council to support local initiatives.

Cllr Anne Hawksworth said: “This is Just a small part of general effort to kickstart the local economy - a small cog in a bigger machine.”

Cllr Kyle Green added: “I am delighted to support the LoyalFree app to help encourage people to shop locally in Ilkley to support businesses as they look to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.”

Sophie Hainsworth, co-founder of LoyalFree, said:”We are overjoyed to be expanding further to support even more businesses as they start to reopen after lockdown. Ilkley has a wonderful variety of businesses and interesting history which makes it the perfect town for the app.”

Download the free app at www.loyalfree.co.uk/download or search ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.