SMALL traders in Dewsbury and Mirfield are waging a war against the big chain stores.

The traders are being asked to sign up to a customer loyalty scheme which encourages local people to buy their products.

The scheme is being run by website the UK Websaver.

It is designed to help local businesses fight off national competition by offering incentives to ensure people living in the communities use the smaller companies and continue showing their support by returning to them.

Businesses who sign up to the scheme agree to offer customers a discount on goods or services, so that these savings can be then promoted to prospective and regular customers through the website.

Local people will then be asked to buy a loyalty card for £4.99, so they can take advantage of the offers.

The scheme has a number of benefits. Not only does it offer businesses the potential to improve customer loyalty and increase sales it also gives them the opportunity to help a local charity if enough businesses sign up.

UK Websaver is in many communities across Britain.

Dewsbury man Bill Antill, who is launching the scheme in his town and Mirfield, said he took on the franchise for this area because he was passionate about keeping local communities and businesses alive.

He said: “You go into the high street and there’s a lot of small retailers. But they are struggling against big national companies. Many have moved out.

“These are fantastic towns, but people need to use local shops to keep them alive. So we need to get them back into our high streets.

“This is why the scheme is such a fantastic idea. It’s a great way for smaller local businesses in our area to take on their national rivals and encourage customer loyalty.”

So far, 15 local companies have signed up to the scheme.

The first 50 businesses to sign up to UK Websaver will be able to join for free.

All that’s required is that they offer a discount on their goods and services for Mr Antill to promote in the Dewsbury and Mirfield areas.

Part of the cash raised from the loyalty card sales will go towards supporting a local charity in its work, which the traders will be asked to nominate.