Kirklees card fights the credit crunch

Jan 12 2009 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Kirklees card fights the credit crunch

COUNCILLORS, tenants and business owners are celebrating the relaunch of a discount card which will help council tenants beat the credit crunch.

The Kirklees Neighbour Housing Excel 2009 card was launched at a special event at KNH headquarters at Turnbridge.

Guests included Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, Kirklees Mayor Clr Karam Hussain, the Kirklees Cabinet member for housing, Clr Liz Smaje, tenants’ representatives and local business owners.

The card, launched in 2007, card entitles KNH tenants and leaseholders to discounts at businesses across Kirklees.

The card won the prestigious most innovative project award from the National Federation of Arms Length Management Organisations in the same year.

Last year nearly 260 local shops and businesses joined the free scheme, 100 more than in 2007.

KNH Excel manager Helen O’Sullivan said: “We are really pleased to be launching the 2009 discount card.

“We were initially worried that the uncertain economy would discourage people from joining the scheme, but that hasn’t been the case at all.

“It’s fantastic that so many new businesses have joined this year, despite the credit crunch.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone and we hope everyone who gets a card uses it.’’