The region’s largest retailer, the East of England Co-op, has joined forces with a host of local businesses to offer exclusive money-saving discounts to its 270,000 members.
In a move set to encourage local spending, the organisation has partnered with attractions, restaurants and retailers providing discounts on everything from eating out to days out. It is now on the lookout for other businesses to work with as part of its new ‘member perks’ package.
Current offers include 50% off admission to Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, £5 off pizza at DOUGH&Co restaurants and 10% off in-store at The Original Factory Shop.
Commenting on the launch of the programme, Niall O’Keeffe, Joint Chief Executive from the East of England Co-op said: “The East of England is home to some of the most vibrant and exciting attractions and businesses in the country, but the last two years have been very difficult for everyone. We are passionate about supporting our local communities – not just the people who live here but businesses which operate here too – and we are so pleased to be able to do that through our new member perks scheme. Not only do we want to help our members to enjoy fun days out for less, we also want them to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, whether that’s an independent local business, or one of our most-loved tourist attractions, such as Banham Zoo and Africa Alive.
“We will be expanding our perks across the region and refreshing them throughout the year, so we’re always looking to add more partners to the programme. If you’re a local attraction, retailer, restaurant or business and would like to engage with our 270,000 members, then please do get in touch.”
Banham Zoo and Africa Alive are two of the region’s most popular destinations for family days out, offering visitors the chance to see thousands of animals from all over the world, including rare and endangered species. Both attractions are run by the charity the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), which works towards sustainable tourism through conservation, education and community involvement.
Claudia Roberts, CEO at the Zoological Society of East Anglia, said of their involvement in the Co-op’s member perks scheme: “We are delighted to be partnering with the East of England Co-op to offer discounts to Co-op members who visit our parks. Our passion is to help people in our community benefit from connections with animals and nature and this ties in very well with the East of England Co-op’s mission to support communities.”
The new perks will run alongside the East of England Co-op’s existing member offers. These include exclusive in-store discounts and earning ‘divi’, where customers can collect points as they shop which are converted into dividend vouchers – these can be spent in-store, donated or withdrawn into cash. Dividend points can be collected across the East of England Co-op portfolio, including food stores, travel shops, funeral branches and petrol filling stations. Co-op membership is one of the longest running loyalty schemes, first set-up in the mid-1800s.
For more information or to get in touch with the East of England Co-op membership team, email voldknow@eastofengland.coop.
