Entrepreneur launches discount card to help independent businesses
An entrepreneur has set up a discount card scheme to help support independent businesses.
Kevin Hooper launched the Shop Portsmouth VIP Card, which is the first ever discount card in Portsmouth, to offer discounts to locals on a wide range of independent stores in the city.
Support
According to Hooper, over 200 people have signed up for the scheme. It offers discounts and offers in local businesses such as restaurants, furniture stores, and beauty salons for £12.99 a year.
The card can be used throughout the year, and people of all ages can sign up to show their support for local businesses.
In addition to setting up the Shop Portsmouth VIP Card scheme, Hooper also runs the Shop Portsmouth mobile app. He has been campaigning to help independent businesses for over a year with his company Shop Portsmouth.
Promotion
Discussing the scheme, Hooper said that it not only promotes independent stores, but also helps the public to save money and provides support to the community.
“This time last year I didn’t even think we would make it this far, but there are nearly 250,000 people in Portsmouth so that’s my market,” he said.
He added that there are so many big businesses out there who are promoting other large companies and that it is important that smaller businesses are also promoted.

Erin O’Neill is an LSBF News Writer who reports on small business, careers, technology and education news.