The special relationship between Shotley's Premier Stores and its customers is set to be further cemented as boss Manish Patel prepares to launch a reward scheme.

Loyalty cards will be issued as from Wednesday to customers who want to sign up and they will be rewarded with discounts, exclusive offers and promotions and prize-winning competitions.

"This is about us giving back to our customers," Manish told Nub News. "It is one way we ensure loyalty and we can return that by being loyal to them too.

"Our customers have been excellent throughout this awful episode and we want to thank them."

Shotley Premier Stores customers will be able to collect points, save money and get rewards by signing up for the Loyalty Scheme in the shop. You will need a registered phone number and once you are signed up, you will be given your own loyalty card.

The staff will then scan the QR Code on your card every time you shop and spend in the shop.

Manish insisted all customers' details will be protected and not passed on.

He said: "Once you have registered using your phone, we will not use your details fir anything else, other than the once a month newsletter showing all the offers and discounts."

Customers will also be able to go to a dedicated website, from Wednesday, and see the latest offers, discounts and the initiatives, and see how many points they have totted up.

Meanwhile, Manish and his staff at Shotley Premier Stores, have been been shortlisted in Babergh's 2020 Innovation Awards in the Customer Service category, with the winners due to be revealed on Tuesday evening in a virtual ceremony. (full story here...)