Think Local, Shop Local, Support Local - the WLT philosophy is a winner
Long before #buyfromthebush was even a thought, a couple of locals from Rural Property NSW’s hometown of Narrabri developed a retail program that encourages people to buy from within their local community. The award winning Why Leave Town (WLT) concept has since generated over $7.5 Million in sales and helped regional businesses to thrive.
Central to the WLT program are the WLT Gift Cards which can only be used at participating businesses in regional towns. Each card is specific for a town and cannot be used for purchases elsewhere. The program is available in towns across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Ashley Watt is the co-founder and director of WLT, and he spoke about the initiative.
“In the beginning our focus was on providing a gift card alternative to the chain store cards. We wanted to keep the dollars circulating in our community and supporting local businesses rather than lining the pockets of public companies,” Ashley explained.
The program is expanding at an accelerating rate. There were 13 participating communities three years ago, and today there are 45 with more coming on board.
“Over the last couple of years we have seen a shift to using the cards for drought relief and then bushfire relief,” said Ashley.
“WLT cards can be purchased to assist those in need and the cards are distributed by local charitable organisations such as Lions, Rotary etc. In this way the cards not only help the individual, but also help support the wider community.”
WLT are now receiving enquiries from communities hoping to use the program to boost COVID business recovery.
“The cards reinvigorate regional economies as they have a multiplier effect. An initial $100 WLT gift card circulates an impact of around $180 throughout local businesses,” Ashley explained.
Of course, the secret to success is having a large number of businesses in any locality belonging to the scheme and promoting that they accept the WLT cards. In some towns the local council or chamber of commerce commission the program to co-ordinate uptake.
It’s also important that recipients of the cards get out and spend the WLT card funds.
“The funds need to be moving through the economy to have a positive effect and we encourage anyone holding a card to get out there and see what their local town has to offer,” Ashley urged.
Further information about the WLT program can be found on their website whyleavetown.com.
Pic: The Narrabri Shire Council WLT launch 2019. Mayor - Cathy Redding, Former Tourism and Community Development Manager – Penny Jobling, Ashley Watt – Why Leave Town, Zoe Saunders – Community Relations Manager
by Michael Guest in Latest News
Share this post
Posts this year
- September 2024 (1)
- August 2024 (1)
- November 2023 (1)
- June 2023 (1)
- February 2023 (2)
- November 2022 (1)
- October 2022 (1)
- July 2022 (2)
- June 2022 (1)
Archived Posts
- Posts in 2023
- Posts in 2022
- Posts in 2021
- Posts in 2020
- Posts in 2019
- Posts in 2018
- Posts in 2017
- Posts in 2016