BUSINESSES in Felixstowe are pulling together to take on the credit crunch with the launch of an innovative project to promote spending in the town.

BUSINESSES in Felixstowe are pulling together to take on the credit crunch with the launch of an innovative project to promote spending in the town.

More than 25 companies are already signed up to the scheme, which aims to encourage people to splash their cash in the town in return for vouchers.

Felixstowe Together launches today and it is hoped local residents will show their support and flock to the shops.

Vouchers will be given out when people spend �10 or more and can be exchanged for show or cinema tickets at the Spa Pavilion and the town's cinema.

When a shopper has ten tokens they can be swapped for “Buy One, Get one Free” tickets, free midweek tickets and free children's tickets.

Businesses already involved include Debug Design, The Felixstowe Flyer and Account Wryte and it is hoped even more will follow their lead.

Peter Dawes, from Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce, said: “The town has an excellent range of small shops and businesses, but during this time of uncertainty they might be finding it increasingly difficult to compete with supermarkets and other out-of-town shops.

“We want to support and encourage people to use the businesses and shops in Felixstowe, not only to help the local economy but to keep people in local employment.”

John Goodwin, county councillor for Felixstowe, also backed the scheme along with his wife Angel, who is the town major.

“Felixstowe is still a real community where people know your name and speak to you in the street - a place where we can get virtually everything we need from our local shops and businesses,” he said. “We all know the slogan, 'use it or lose it', now more than ever is the time to support our own, buy British if at all possible and buy it in the Felixstowe area.”

For more details on the campaign and to sign up for free email alerts visit www.felixstowetogether.com .

Do you think the campaign will work? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.