Businesses are working to put Ilkley on the map as the first town in the UK to adopt a consumer loyalty scheme which has seen success in Ireland.

Following a well-attended meeting to discuss how a new scheme could help to encourage support for local independent businesses, several have now signed up to participate in Phlok.

The scheme connects consumers with local shops and services, rewarding them with Phlok points when they buy from participating businesses which are then spent back within the local area.

One local trader keen to get involved is Gillian Murgatroyd of handcraft emporium I Love Vera.

She said: “It is an exciting opportunity to become involved with Phlok and an ingenious way of keeping our lovely town a fun and vibrant place to shop. Building and maintaining a local audience is very important to us.”

Others signed up include a women’s fashion boutique, a children’s shoe shop, a hairdresser, and local bar and function room, The Yard.

General manager at The Yard, Ali Allawa, said: “We are excited to be involved with such an innovative scheme as Phlok, and are confident that this will help in our common goal of getting people spending locally.”

Phlok was introduced to Ilkley by Tina Boden, co-founder of the independent community interest company Enterprise Rockers, dedicated to making life better for micro businesses.

She is working with Phlok to bring the scheme to many more towns across Yorkshire and Humber before spreading UK-wide.

Phlok founder and chief executive officer, Paul Graham, is delighted with the response from Ilkley.

He said: “It is clear that Ilkley is a town serious about building on the great work they are already doing to encourage people to ‘shop local’ and because Phlok doesn’t rely on the heavy discounting that other high street schemes do, we can help consumers rediscover great value and choice on their doorstep while helping businesses protect their margins.”