Businesses sign up to loyalty card

BUSINESSES around Willington have signed up to the loyalty card introduced by Mercia Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal for its moorers.

The Mercia Marina Club Card entitles permanent annual berth holders and lodge owners to benefits and particularly discounts following partnership agreements with other businesses in the area.

Discounts

Benefits for card holders include discounts at pubs, restaurants and beauty parlours in the nearby village of Willington and surrounding areas.

The recent growth in enquiries from local businesses recognises the fact that, with more than 600 berths, Mercia Marina is the largest inland marina in the UK, and so represents a significant market share of potential consumers.

Issued with card

Scheme members are issued with a credit card-style card, which they can present at any of the participating businesses, with Robert Neff, General Manager at Mercia Marina, explaining:

"Having received lots of interest from businesses keen to sign up to the discount scheme that we offer to our most loyal customers, we felt the time was right to relaunch the scheme as an official Club Card.

"I think it shows just how important the marina and its boaters or lodge owners are to the local economy. We're more than happy to enter into such agreements with local businesses, as we feel it is a win-win situation for all concerned."

Free MOT

Newly signed-up businesses include EDM Garage Services, which offers Club Card members a free MOT with each full service, or a free annual service with every car purchased.

The Dogs Paws and Cats Whiskers pet boarding establishments offer marina card holders a 10% discount outside peak holiday times, while the Dragon pub in Willington offers a 10% discount on all meals.

Other benefits include 15% discount at OK Diner, on the A38 at Egginton, a five per cent discount on deli purchases at Willington Green Delicatessen and a five per cent discount on orders over £20 at Cottage Garden Florist in Willington.